parenting – Kneeling Ministries

A New Season Begins

There are moments as a parent when you realize your child is growing up, and sometimes it happens in the smallest details.

On Jaelyn’s first day of high school, I looked through the car window and saw her putting on mascara. I helped her step out of the car, took a few pictures, and tried to take in the moment for what it was. She was not a little girl getting ready for another ordinary school day. She was a freshman, stepping into a completely new season.

Then it was time for her to go.

As she rode away, she said, “I love you,” and waved the “I love you” sign out the window.

I could not hold back the tears.

She did not know. No one else was there to see it. But I was there, and Jesus was there.

In that quiet moment, He reminded me that He has her.

I could BREATHE.

As parents, we spend years trying to prepare our children for what is ahead. We teach, correct, encourage, pray, worry, protect, and sometimes probably hold on a little tighter than we realize. Then a day comes when we have to give them more room to walk into life for themselves.

High school brings new classrooms, new expectations, new friendships, and more responsibility. Jaelyn already has a lot of interests and opportunities in front of her. ROTC, Civil Air Patrol, unmanned aerial vehicles, youth group, missions, academics, and other things she enjoys and takes seriously. I have no idea which of those things will become a major part of her future and which ones God will simply use to prepare her for something else.

And I do not have to know.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

The Hebrew word translated “direct” is yashar, pronounced yah-SHAHR, and written יָשַׁר. It carries the idea of making something straight, right, or level. God does not always show us the entire road ahead. Often, He simply asks us to trust Him with the next part of it.

That promise is for her, but I realized that morning it was also for me.

She has a path to walk, and so do I.

Her path includes learning, growing, making decisions, discovering gifts, making mistakes, and becoming the young woman God is shaping her to be. Mine includes learning when to guide, when to speak, when to step back, and when to trust God with things I can no longer control.

That may be one of the harder parts of parenting.

We want our children to become independent, but when they actually begin stepping into that independence, something inside us wants to reach back for the little kid who still needed us for everything.

But they are supposed to grow.

One of the things I am most thankful for is that Jaelyn already understands the importance of prayer. She has become a prayer warrior in her own right, and of all the things she may learn during high school, I hope that continues to deepen.

There will be decisions I cannot make for her and situations I will not know about until later. I cannot walk every hallway with her, choose every friend, or protect her from every difficult moment.

But Jesus can go where I cannot.

He can speak when I am not there. He can give wisdom when she is unsure. He can protect, correct, strengthen, and guide her in ways I never could.

That is what He reminded me of as she rode away.

He has her.

That does not mean I stop being her dad. It does not mean I stop praying, guiding, or paying attention. It means I remember that I was never carrying her alone in the first place.

Sometimes faith looks like taking the next step.

Sometimes it looks like watching someone you love take theirs.

And sometimes it looks like standing there after they leave, wiping away a few tears, hearing God remind you that He has them, and finally allowing yourself to BREATHE.

Bible Promise

Proverbs 3:5–6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

God does not require you to see the entire road ahead. He asks you to trust Him with the people you love and the next step in front of you.

Reflection Questions

Is there someone you love whom God is asking you to trust more fully into His care?
What new season are you facing where you need to stop trying to see the entire road and simply trust God with the next step?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for every season You allow us to walk through and for the people You have entrusted to our care. Help me know when to guide, when to encourage, and when to release what I cannot control into Your hands. Watch over our children as they grow, make decisions, face new challenges, and discover who You have called them to be. Give them wisdom, courage, discernment, and a heart that seeks You. When I am tempted to worry about the places I cannot go and the things I cannot see, remind me that You are already there. Help me trust that You have them, and teach me to breathe in the confidence of Your care.

I give You all honor, all the glory, and all of the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Devastation of Divorce

Divorce leaves devastation in its wake. Broken relationships, emotional wounds, and spiritual struggles. Its effects are felt by spouses, children, extended family, and even the community. While it’s not God’s design, divorce is a painful reality in our broken world.

The statistics are alarming:

Emotional Toll: Divorce increases the risk of depression and anxiety for both spouses and children.

Financial Impact: Many experience a significant decline in financial stability after divorce.

Spiritual Fallout: Divorce can challenge faith, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and disconnection from God.

But there’s hope. Jesus reminds us in John 10:10 that He came to bring life, even in the midst of destruction. The enemy seeks to destroy, but God specializes in redemption. He can bring healing, restore joy, and use even our most painful experiences for His glory.

If you’re navigating the devastation of divorce, take heart. God sees your pain and offers His comfort and restoration. Seek Him, surround yourself with a supportive community, and trust in His promise to bring beauty from ashes.

Reflection Questions

How has divorce affected your emotional, financial, or spiritual well-being?
What steps can you take to lean into God’s healing and restoration?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being near to the brokenhearted and for offering hope in the midst of devastation. Teach me to trust in Your promises and to lean on You for healing and restoration. Help me to rebuild my life on Your unshakable foundation. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Ripple Effects of Divorce

Divorce is not an isolated event. It creates ripple effects that touch every part of a family’s life, especially children. Research shows that divorce can lead to emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges for kids. As parents, it’s vital to recognize these effects and seek God’s guidance to minimize the damage while providing stability and love.

Statistics paint a sobering picture:

Emotional Impact: Children of divorced parents are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Academic Challenges: Studies show that children from divorced families are more likely to struggle in school and have higher dropout rates.

Future Relationships: Kids from divorced homes may have a harder time trusting and forming healthy relationships later in life.

I’ve seen some of these struggles firsthand. It’s heartbreaking to watch children carry burdens they didn’t choose. However, I’ve also witnessed God’s healing power at work. With intentional support, prayer, and love, children can overcome these challenges and thrive.

As parents, we can prioritize their well-being by maintaining open communication, providing a stable environment, and pointing them to God’s unchanging love. Divorce may disrupt a family, but God can bring healing and restoration in the midst of brokenness.

Reflection Questions

How can you support your children emotionally, spiritually, and practically during and after a divorce?
What steps can you take to point them to God’s love and stability?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of children and for Your promise to be near to the brokenhearted. Teach me to care for and guide my children through the challenges of divorce, trusting in Your power to heal and restore. Help me to provide stability and love, pointing them to Your faithfulness. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

God’s Design for Marriage

Marriage is one of the most beautiful gifts God has given humanity. From the very beginning, He established it as a sacred union… a reflection of His covenant love for His people. Genesis 2:24 reminds us that marriage is not just a partnership but a profound spiritual connection where two become one.

God designed marriage to be a place of love, trust, and mutual growth. It’s a bond that thrives on selflessness, where both husband and wife reflect Christ’s sacrificial love. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives are called to respect and honor their husbands.

I’ve seen the beauty of this design in marriages where couples prioritize prayer, humility, and service to one another. But I’ve also experienced and witnessed the pain that comes when this bond is broken. The key to a thriving marriage is keeping Christ at the center. When both partners seek Him first, their love for each other deepens, and they grow stronger together.

Marriage isn’t always easy, but when we honor God’s design, it becomes a powerful testimony of His love and faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

How does your marriage (or view of marriage) align with God’s design in Scripture?
What steps can you take to keep Christ at the center of your relationships?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage and for showing us how to love through Christ’s example. Help us to honor Your design, to love selflessly, and to reflect Your covenant love in our relationships. Teach us to keep You at the center of our marriages, trusting You to guide and strengthen us. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Forgiveness brings freedom. Not just for the person we forgive, but for us as well. Jesus reminds us that our willingness to forgive is tied to our own experience of God’s forgiveness. When we hold onto unforgiveness, it hinders our relationship with Him and robs us of peace.

I’ve seen how unforgiveness can weigh heavily on the heart. For years, I held onto resentment toward someone who had deeply hurt me. It wasn’t until I chose to forgive, releasing the offense to God, that I experienced true freedom. The situation didn’t change, but my heart did. God’s peace replaced the bitterness I had carried for so long.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or minimizing the pain. It’s a choice to release the debt and trust God with the outcome. When we forgive, we align ourselves with His will, experiencing the joy and freedom that come from walking in obedience to Him.

Reflection Questions

What burdens of unforgiveness might you be carrying, and how can you release them to God?
How has forgiveness brought freedom and peace into your life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the freedom that comes from forgiveness. Help me to release any resentment or bitterness I’m holding onto and to trust You with the process of healing. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me, walking in the peace and freedom of Your love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Healing After Divorce: Rebuilding What Was Lost

Divorce brings a unique kind of heartbreak, especially for those who hoped their marriage would last a lifetime. The process of healing involves not just moving on from the past but also rebuilding your identity, trust, and hope for the future.

One of the challenges after divorce is the question of maintaining a relationship with your ex-spouse, especially when children are involved. Healthy co-parenting can be possible, but it requires mutual respect and clear communication.

Focus on Personal Healing: Before you can rebuild, take time to heal emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. Seek counseling or trusted mentors to guide you.

Establish Boundaries: Whether or not children are involved, create healthy boundaries that allow you to heal while maintaining peace.

Trust God’s Restoration: Even in the pain of divorce, God promises to restore what has been lost. Trust Him to bring healing and hope in His timing.

Healing after divorce is a journey, but with God’s grace, it’s possible to move forward with peace and purpose.

Reflection Questions

How can you invite God into your healing process after divorce?
What steps can you take to rebuild your trust and hope for the future?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being a God of restoration and hope. Heal the broken places in my life and teach me to trust You with my future. Help me to walk in grace and forgiveness, rebuilding my life on the foundation of Your love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Grieving What Was Lost

Grief comes in many forms. Sometimes, it’s the loss of a loved one. Other times, it’s the loss of a relationship, a dream, or even a sense of security. What makes grief even harder is when it feels unacknowledged, when the world moves on, but you’re still carrying the weight of what was lost.

I see this in our son. When my wife left, she didn’t just walk out of my life. She left his too. She wasn’t there for his graduation, missed his birthdays, and skipped Christmases. From the outside, it might seem like he’s fine. He shrugs it off and says, “It doesn’t matter. She wasn’t my real mom anyway.” But I know better.

Grief often hides beneath the surface, especially when it’s tied to relationships. For our son, losing my wife wasn’t just about her absence… it was about losing the woman who had been part of his everyday life for over a decade. It’s the loss of memories that can’t be made, milestones that won’t be shared, and the comfort of knowing she cared.

The Bible doesn’t shy away from grief. Jesus Himself wept at the death of His friend Lazarus, even though He knew He was about to raise him from the dead. That moment reminds us that grief isn’t a sign of weakness… it’s a reflection of love. When we mourn, we open our hearts to God’s comfort, allowing Him to meet us in our pain.

I pray that our son will one day bring his hidden grief to God. Because healing doesn’t mean pretending the loss didn’t happen… it means acknowledging it and trusting God to fill the empty places.

If you’re grieving today, whether openly or in silence, know this: God sees your pain. He hears the prayers you don’t have words for, and He promises to comfort you in ways only He can.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being near to those who mourn. Help me, and those I love, to bring our grief to You, trusting You to provide comfort and healing. Teach us to rest in Your promises and to find hope in Your presence. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Forgiveness as We Have Been Forgiven

Forgiveness is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. In the Lord’s Prayer, He ties our forgiveness of others to God’s forgiveness of us. This doesn’t mean God’s grace is conditional, it means that experiencing His forgiveness transforms us and compels us to extend the same grace to others.

I’ve had moments when forgiving someone felt impossible. The hurt was too deep, and I struggled to let it go. But as I reflected on how much God had forgiven me, my perspective shifted. Forgiveness didn’t excuse the wrong, it set me free from the burden of resentment.

Jesus calls us to forgive because forgiveness brings healing, both to us and to others. It reflects His character and points people to His grace. By choosing forgiveness, we align ourselves with His kingdom and experience the freedom only He can give.

Reflection Questions

Who in your life needs to experience forgiveness from you?
How does reflecting on God’s forgiveness help you to forgive others?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for forgiving me through Christ. Teach me to extend that same grace to others, even when it’s hard. Help me to trust You with my pain and to walk in the freedom of forgiveness. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer – A Life Aligned with God

The Lord’s Prayer is more than a set of words to recite… it’s a guide for living a life fully aligned with God. From the opening phrase, “Our Father in heaven,” to the closing doxology, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever,” this prayer teaches us how to approach God, trust in His provision, seek His forgiveness, and walk in His protection.

As we’ve explored each part of this prayer, we’ve seen how it reflects the heart of Jesus and His kingdom. It begins with worship, acknowledging God’s holiness and sovereignty. It moves to submission, asking for His will to be done on earth and in our lives. It teaches us dependence, trusting Him for daily provision and spiritual nourishment. It calls us to forgiveness, reminding us of the grace we’ve received and the grace we’re called to extend. And it ends with a powerful declaration of God’s eternal reign, strength, and glory.

The Lord’s Prayer is not just a script to repeat… it’s a framework for how to pray and live. Jesus wasn’t asking us to use these exact words every time we pray. Instead, He provided a model that invites authenticity and connection. Each phrase can inspire deeper, personal prayers that reflect our unique relationship with God:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” teaches us to begin with worship, reminding us of who God is and inviting us to honor Him.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done” calls us to surrender our plans and trust in God’s purposes.

“Give us today our daily bread” encourages us to bring our needs to God with childlike faith.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” challenges us to seek His mercy and extend it to others.

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” reminds us to rely on His strength and protection.

This prayer challenges us to:

Live with Reverence: Approaching God as our holy Father who is both loving and sovereign.

Surrender to His Will: Trusting His plans over our own and seeking His kingdom above all else.

Depend on Him Daily: Recognizing Him as the source of all our needs… physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Walk in Forgiveness: Accepting His mercy and extending it to others, reflecting His grace in our relationships.

Trust in His Protection: Relying on His power to lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil.

Celebrate His Glory: Declaring His greatness and living a life that points others to Him.

For me, praying the Lord’s Prayer has been a grounding practice, especially during times of uncertainty or stress. It reminds me of God’s faithfulness and aligns my heart with His purposes. Each phrase is a reminder that prayer is not just about asking. It’s about relationship, worship, and transformation.

As you continue to pray this prayer, let it be more than words. Let it shape your heart, guide your actions, and deepen your connection with God. The Lord’s Prayer is an invitation to live a life fully centered on Him, trusting in His power, and rejoicing in His glory forever.

Reflection Questions

How has the Lord’s Prayer deepened your understanding of God’s character and your relationship with Him?
What steps can you take to live out the truths of this prayer in your daily life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me to pray through the words of the Lord’s Prayer. Help me to use it as a guide to connect with You authentically and personally. Teach me to live a life that reflects its truths, worshiping You, trusting in Your provision, extending forgiveness, and walking in Your protection. Align my heart with Your will and let my life bring glory to Your name. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Our Father in Heaven

The opening words of the Lord’s Prayer set the tone for everything that follows. Addressing God as “Our Father” reminds us of the intimate relationship we have with Him. He is not a distant deity, but a loving Father who desires closeness with His children. At the same time, “in heaven” acknowledges His majesty, sovereignty, and holiness.

For me, calling God “Father” has brought comfort in some of my most challenging times. When I’ve felt alone or unsure, knowing that I could turn to Him as my heavenly Father gave me peace. Unlike earthly relationships, His love is perfect and unconditional.

“Hallowed be your name” invites us to worship and revere God. It’s a reminder to approach Him with both intimacy and awe. In a world that often takes God’s name lightly, this phrase calls us to honor Him as holy and to reflect His character in our lives.

These opening words teach us that prayer is both relational and reverent. We come to God as His children, but we also recognize His greatness. This balance sets the foundation for a powerful and meaningful prayer life.

Reflection Questions

How does addressing God as “Father” deepen your relationship with Him?
What steps can you take to honor His name in your daily life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of calling You my Father. Teach me to approach You with both intimacy and reverence, honoring Your name in all I do. Help me to reflect Your love and holiness in my life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.