The Mother Hen

Praying for Your Kids Monday
Living with Purpose

Since we've gone all Little House on the Prairie I've missed the news the most. I really missed it this last week as Senator Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer and I didn't get to watch any of the coverage, tributes or funeral coverage. Finally this morning I had some quiet time to sit with a cup of coffee and read coverage, look at pictures and see what was the highly anticipated eulogy from President Obama--it did not disappoint.

I was struck by a beautiful passage; found the text online, read it to Jeff and we both teared up at the eloquence and truth of it.

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God's plan is for us.

What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and with love, and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others.

As I sat teary eyed on the couch I prayed that I could live my life with such purpose and I prayed my children would be able speak of a godly legacy I left them. Tonight the President's words still ring in my head; I long for Samuel and Emily to live lives that leave lasting impacts on the lives of others. I long for them to live with the promise of eternity with Jesus in their hearts and God's purpose at the forefront of their minds.

Loving God, only You know our days. You hold the universe in Your hands yet You care enough to have counted my days before time began. I thank You for __________ and I thank You that You knew him even before he was created in my womb. Thank You for knowing every hair on his head; thank You for having plans for him to prosper. I pray You will write Your name on his heart so that he may follow You all the days of his life. I pray __________ will live his life with purpose. I pray he will grow to be a man of God who brings honor to Your name and points others to Christ. To You be all the glory, Amen.