Note: The final devos of 2024 will be based on Pastor Mark & Grace’s new workbook “Parenting on Point.” To get a physical copy, visit realfaith.com/donate through the end of the year.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” — Psalm 103:2
We now turn our focus to loving God with all our soul. The soul represents our spiritual life, our innermost being, and the core of who we are. It’s the part of us that communes with God, seeks His presence, and yearns for a deeper relationship with Him.
Every facet of life, but especially parenting, provides endless opportunities to grow spiritually. Whether through moments of patience, perseverance, or prayer, each day presents a new chance to rely on God’s strength rather than our own. Our soul finds its greatest peace when it rests in God’s presence. While we often cannot control what is happening around us, we can stop and invite the Holy Spirit to control what is happening in us!
Jesus set the perfect example of a life lived in spiritual communion with the Father. Despite His busy ministry with constant demands and crises, He often withdrew to quiet places to pray. How can you prioritize quiet time with God in your busy parenting schedule? Remember, even a few minutes of focused prayer can refresh your soul.
Our souls thrive when we are engaged in God’s purposes. When was the last time you served someone outside your immediate family? Loving God with all your soul means being outward-focused, looking for ways to bless others and show them God’s love. Invite your children into your spiritual practices and be looking for God and the needs of others every day, instead of just thinking about themselves as most children do. Let them see you pray, study, and worship.
Encourage them to ask questions about God and to seek His presence in their lives. A family that prays together grows together! Good places to start include the family dining table and at bedtime. When our kids were little, we made it a regular habit to sit together with our phones off to have dinner. We would ask what they were thankful for, what they were learning, and if there was anyone or anything we could pray for or help with. This led to a lot of deep, connecting conversations. Other times, we just laughed a lot, and the conversation was not very spiritual because that was not the mood for the night. At bedtime, we snuggled with the kids, prayed together, read age-appropriate stories from kids Bibles, and sang worship songs. These kinds of holy habits have been carried by our children into their adult years and their own parenting.
Today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our spiritual walk. Pray for a renewed passion for God’s Word, a deeper prayer life, and a greater sensitivity to His leading. When our souls are aligned with God, everything else falls into place.
As parents, we are the primary spiritual leaders in our children’s lives. Loving God with all our soul means modeling a life that is devoted to Him. Our kids need to see us praying, reading the Bible, worshiping, and making church a priority. Remember, a healthy soul is essential for effective parenting.
Consider your current spiritual habits. Are they robust enough to withstand the challenges of parenting (or, if not yet a parent, the challenges of life)? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to help you establish new habits that nourish your soul.
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