Monday, November 6, 2017 The Acts of Submission Part 3 – Submission to Our Family: The Discipline of Submission, Part 7 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Monday, November 6, 2017

The Acts of Submission Part 3 – Submission to Our Family: The Discipline of Submission, Part 7 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture:

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 31:15-17

15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 

16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Colossians 3:13

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8(a)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 (a)  Love never fails.

Devotional:

The third act of submission in the Discipline of Submission is submission to our family. As a mom who came to motherhood later in life, and a wife who endured a protracted singleness, I know that I have come to deeply appreciate this gift of my family. God has given me the opportunity to see what it is like to be without something so precious. However, without that time of waiting I know my younger self would have been less enamored with the daily grind of raising a family. I did not have a great family experience as a child, though today I can thank the Lord for the powerful lessons my uphill climb has taught me. Having no healthy model makes being a healthy family a brand-new and fairly challenging proposition.

The segment on submission to our family is one of many teachings by men and women of the faith that give me peace that this way is the way of freedom. Mutual submission, choosing to love one another and prefer one another: these choices really are harder than the way of my flesh, which wants things my way. The more the Lord refines my husband and I, the more peace we have. The more we work toward living in repentance, choosing to be kind, taking ownership of our own wrong attitudes, and being filled with the Fruit of the Spirit, the deeper our connection to one another is becoming. We are not perfected, but this truly is the path to peace. We will look back in the long run and be so thankful that we did not take the most-traveled-by road of living in strife, walking parallel paths and seeking our own good over the good of our family.

I am refreshed anew today in sharing this that I desire to find new ways to serve and put my family first by the grace of God. I pray you will be too!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

God, I thank You for the freedom that comes from giving up my rights and my way to live Your Way. Your Kingdom may be upside down, but my heart is set aright as I follow You. You are amazing, Lord.

Confession:

I come and confess my deepest failings and needs before Your throne.  Apart from You I can do nothing. I need You to infiltrate my heart and mind and soul to  equip me for this profound task of parenting. (Take time to let the Lord search your heart. Mine today: Yesterday at church, Christian escaped his workers. I tried my best to be kind and understanding, but I am struggling with unforgiveness. I don’t want to let this turn to bitterness, and I know I have a tendency to try to fix things myself. Help me to give this situation to You and be loving toward those involved.)

Supplication:

Lord, I lift my day, my needs, my schedule, and my family to You. (Journal victories, progress, and needs for what you are praying for now. Mine today: I thank You that I am growing in You in the area of strong emotional responses to challenges I face. I do lift up this concern at our church. Please give me peace, and help me to give this problem to You. We have had a hard time finding a church to attend as a family, and we feel embraced and loved here. I don’t know what church should look like, Lord. You know. Help me to see it Your way.)

Intercession:

Thank You for my children, Lord. I accept afresh today the task of parenting my children. (Journal victories, progress, needs and concerns. For Chloe today: She is going through a bout of fussiness and disobedience. It’s a pattern we have seen before and usually has some underlying cause, such as illness or growth spurt. Help her to move past any potential sickness. Help her to have calmed emotions. Help us to get the bottom of any unmet needs. For Christian today: He is continuing to have problems with his gut and regular constipation. We are doing so many therapies, so please help us to know what to tweak to get his body working. Give us wisdom so that we can help him. Also cover his week at school with Your grace.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

I lift this day to You, Lord! You are my God, and I love You. Blessed be Your name! Cover my home and family with Your love, and be our forward and rear guard. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.