parenting – Page 2 – Kneel Ministries

Giving in Secret

Jesus teaches that giving is a private act of worship, not something done for public recognition or approval. When we give in secret, we honor God by focusing on the act of generosity itself, rather than on the praise it might bring.

I remember a time when I gave anonymously to someone in need. At first, it felt strange not to let them know, but the joy I felt knowing God saw it far outweighed any desire for recognition. That experience taught me that God’s rewards, peace, joy, and spiritual growth, are far greater than human applause.

Giving in secret isn’t about hiding. It’s about shifting our motivation. It reminds us that our ultimate audience is God, who sees and rewards what others never will. By giving privately, we align our hearts with His and reflect His generous nature.

Reflection Questions

How can you practice giving in secret in your daily life?
What motivates your acts of generosity, and how can you refocus on God’s approval?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for teaching me the value of giving in secret. Help me to honor You with my generosity, seeking only Your approval and trusting in Your rewards. Teach me to reflect Your love and compassion in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Jaelyn’s Thirteenth Birthday: Becoming a Young Woman of Faith

Today Jaelyn turns thirteen, and I can hardly believe we’ve reached this incredible milestone. My little girl is officially a teenager, and while time has flown by, the young woman she is becoming fills me with such pride and gratitude.

This past year, Jaelyn has shown a maturity and depth of character that amazes me. Her faith continues to grow, and her heart for others is a reflection of God’s love working in her life. Watching her navigate the transition from childhood to her teenage years has been both bittersweet and beautiful.

As she steps into this new chapter, I am reminded of how faithful God has been throughout her life. From her first steps to her first prayers, He has been guiding her every moment. My prayer is that she continues to seek Him with all her heart, trusting that He has an incredible plan for her life.

I are so proud of the person she is becoming. Her kindness, her laughter, her curiosity, and her love for God are gifts that bless everyone around her. Happy thirteenth birthday, Jaelyn. The best is yet to come.

Reflection Questions

How can you encourage a young teenager stepping into a new season of life to trust God with their future?
What are some ways you can celebrate their growth while pointing them to God’s faithfulness?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the precious gift of Jaelyn and for thirteen beautiful years of watching her grow. As she steps into her teenage years, guide her steps and guard her heart. Help her to set an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Bless her with wisdom, confidence, and an unshakable faith that carries her through every season. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Hidden Pain: When We Push Away What Hurts

Some pain is easy to see. It comes out in tears, anger, or words that express exactly what we’re feeling. But there’s another kind of pain. Hidden pain. The kind we push down, ignore, and try to convince ourselves doesn’t matter.

I see this in our son. When my wife and I separated, it didn’t just affect me, it affected him too. She had been in his life since he was six years old, a constant figure during the formative years of his childhood. But when she left, the relationship ended for him too. She wasn’t there for his college graduation. She missed three of his birthdays and two Christmases.

If you ask our son, he’ll tell you he doesn’t care. He’ll say, “She wasn’t my real mom anyway.” But I know better. He loved her and has called her mom from the very beginning. I know the woman who hugged him after school, celebrated his victories, and prayed with him before bed was more than just a stepmom… she was family. And losing her left a void he doesn’t like to talk about.

I understand his response because I’ve been there. It’s easier to push away pain than to deal with it. Admitting it hurts feels vulnerable, and sometimes, we’d rather pretend we’re fine than confront the ache in our hearts. But the truth is, hidden pain doesn’t just disappear, it festers. And unless we bring it to the surface and to God, it can harden our hearts.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted. He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together before He steps in. He’s with us in the mess, in the tears we don’t shed, and in the words we can’t say.

I pray that one day our son will let God into the spaces where it still hurts. Because healing doesn’t mean forgetting… it means trusting God to fill the gaps with His love and grace.

If you’re carrying hidden pain, know this: God sees it, even if no one else does. He’s ready to meet you where you are and bring the healing only He can provide.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being close to the brokenhearted, even when we don’t express our pain. Help me, and those I love, to bring hidden hurts to You, trusting You to bring healing and peace. Thank You for Your unfailing love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Advocate

Jesus as “The Advocate” emphasizes His role as our defender and intercessor before the Father. When we fall short, He stands in our place, pleading on our behalf and covering us with His righteousness.

There have been times when I’ve felt unworthy to approach God because of my failures. In those moments, I’m reminded that Jesus is my Advocate. He doesn’t excuse my sin but lovingly steps in to remind me that His sacrifice has already paid the price.

A Defender of the Accused: Jesus protects us from the accusations of the enemy, declaring us forgiven and redeemed (Revelation 12:10).

An Intercessor for the Weak: As our Advocate, He intercedes for us, strengthening us in our weakness (Romans 8:34).

A Righteous Substitute: Jesus’ advocacy is based on His perfect righteousness, ensuring our acceptance before the Father.

Calling on the Advocate reminds us that we are never alone or without hope, no matter how far we fall.

Reflection Questions

How does knowing Jesus as your Advocate change the way you approach God?
In what areas do you need to rely on His intercession and grace?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my Advocate who defends and intercedes for me. Teach me to rest in the assurance of Your grace and to live in the freedom of Your righteousness. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Our Son’s Birthday: Looking to the Future

Our boy turns 26 today, and as I reflect on his journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the man he’s become. From his accomplishments in the military to his academic achievements and beyond, he has shown what it means to live with dedication and perseverance.

This year marks a new chapter for him as he begins to navigate life after college. It’s a season of opportunity and growth, and I know God has incredible plans for his future. His gifts, combined with his faith and character, are a testimony to God’s hand on his life.

While I celebrate his achievements, I’m also praying for his continued strength and reliance on God. Life’s path isn’t always easy, but I trust that the Lord is ordering his steps and delighting in his journey. My prayer is that he continues to lean on God, embracing the future with confidence and faith.

Reflection Questions

How can you encourage someone entering a new chapter of life to trust God’s guidance?
What practical ways can you celebrate their journey while pointing them to God’s purpose?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for our son and for the incredible journey he’s on. Teach him to trust in Your plans and to follow the path You’ve set before him. Bless him with wisdom, courage, and faith as he steps into this next season of life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

When Jesus declared Himself as “The Way, The Truth, and The Life,” He proclaimed His unique role as the only path to God. This title encapsulates His purpose and mission, offering direction, clarity, and eternal hope.

I remember struggling with doubt, wondering if I was on the right path. In that season, Jesus’ words reminded me that He is not just a guide but the Way itself. Trusting Him brought peace and assurance, knowing that following Him leads to life and truth.

The Way to the Father: Jesus provides the only path to a relationship with God, offering salvation through His sacrifice.

The Truth That Sets Us Free: His teachings reveal God’s truth, guiding us to live in alignment with His will (John 8:32).

The Life That Never Ends: Jesus gives abundant life now and the promise of eternal life with Him.

Calling on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life reminds us to trust Him completely and follow His lead in every area of life.

Reflection Questions

How does trusting Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life bring clarity to your decisions?
In what ways can you share this truth with others who are searching for direction?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Teach me to follow You with confidence and to point others to the hope found in You. Help Kneel Ministries guide people to walk in Your truth and life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Peacemaking is more than simply avoiding conflict. It’s actively seeking to reconcile and restore relationships. Jesus calls peacemakers blessed because they reflect the heart of God, who sent His Son to bring peace between Himself and humanity.

I remember a time when I was caught in the middle of a conflict between two friends. Every instinct told me to step back and let them work it out. But God nudged me to step in gently, speak truth, and encourage forgiveness. It wasn’t easy, but watching their relationship heal reminded me of the beauty of God’s peace.

Being a peacemaker doesn’t mean ignoring hard truths or enabling sin. It means approaching situations with humility, grace, and a desire for God’s will to be done. When we pursue peace, we show the world what it means to be children of God, reflecting His love and reconciliation.

Reflection Questions

Where in your life can you actively pursue peace and reconciliation?
How does being a peacemaker reflect God’s heart to those around you?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for calling me to be a peacemaker. Teach me to seek reconciliation and to reflect Your love and grace in every situation. Help me to bring Your peace into the lives of others and to glorify You in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Learning to Trust Again

Trust is one of the hardest things to rebuild after it’s been broken. Whether it’s a friendship, a marriage, or a parent-child relationship, betrayal leaves scars that can make us hesitant to open our hearts again.

I see this in our son. Losing my ex-wife wasn’t just about her absence… it was about the trust that was broken when she chose not to show up for him. He says it doesn’t bother him, but I can see how it’s affected him. When someone we care about lets us down, it’s easy to build walls to protect ourselves from future hurt.

I’ve been there too. After my divorce, I found myself questioning whether I could fully trust anyone again. But through that season, God taught me an important truth: Trusting people is risky, but trusting Him never is.

Proverbs 3:5-6 became my anchor during that time. It reminded me that even when I couldn’t understand why things happened the way they did, I could still trust God’s plan. He doesn’t promise to shield us from pain, but He does promise to guide us through it and use it for good.

For our son, and for all of us, rebuilding trust starts with God. When we place our faith in Him, He gives us the courage to let our guard down and open our hearts again. Not recklessly, but wisely, in a way that honors Him.

If you’re struggling to trust after being hurt, take it to God. Let Him rebuild what’s been broken, one step at a time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God I can always trust. Help me, and those I care about, to bring our broken trust to You, knowing that You are faithful to heal and restore. Teach us to trust You fully and to open our hearts again in Your timing. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Letting Our Light Shine

When I was younger, I thought letting my light shine meant standing on a stage or speaking in front of a crowd. I believed it was about doing big things for God that others could see. But over the past few years, God has been teaching me that letting my light shine is less about what I do and more about how I live daily.

After my divorce, I questioned whether I still had a “light” to shine. I felt broken and unworthy, wondering if I could still be used by God. But in those moments, I found comfort in the fact that God doesn’t require us to be perfect to reflect His love. He only asks us to be willing vessels.

One of the most profound ways I’ve seen this truth is through my relationship with my daughter. Whether it’s helping her with homework, volunteering at her school, or coaching her volleyball team, I’ve realized that even the simplest acts of love and kindness can shine God’s light. The way we treat others, especially in difficult times, speaks volumes about the God we serve.

Letting your light shine isn’t about drawing attention to yourself; it’s about pointing others to Jesus. It’s in the way you show patience when others lose their temper, kindness when others are harsh, and faith when the world is full of fear.

You may feel like your light is dim, but even a small candle can drive out the darkness. Don’t underestimate the power of living for Christ in the ordinary moments. God can use your life, no matter how messy or imperfect it may feel, to glorify Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to be a light in the darkness. Help me to reflect Your love and grace in all I do, even in the small, everyday moments. Let others see You through my words, actions, and life. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Job: Faith in the Storm

Job’s story is one of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health, all in a matter of moments. Yet through it all, Job never turned his back on God.

I’ve had moments in my life when I felt like everything was falling apart. During my divorce, I wrestled with feelings of failure, rejection, and grief. It was a storm I didn’t see coming, and I often found myself asking, “Why, God?”

Job’s story reminds me that it’s okay to question God. It’s okay to grieve and wrestle with the pain. But what stands out most about Job is that even in his lowest moments, he never lost hope. His faith wasn’t dependent on his circumstances; it was rooted in who God is.

Job teaches us that faith isn’t the absence of struggle, it’s trusting God in the midst of it. When life feels overwhelming, we can choose to say, like Job, “Yet will I hope in Him.”

If you’re in a storm right now, hold on to this truth: God sees your pain, He hears your cries, and He’s working behind the scenes. Your storm doesn’t define you, your faith does.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my anchor in life’s storms. Teach me to trust You even when I don’t understand, and to hold onto the hope that You are working for my good. Strengthen my faith and help me to rest in Your promises. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.