My family went on our first road trip with our 5 month old son to visit my grandparents in Missouri last week for Thanksgiving. If you have ever traveled with a baby, then you know just how much preparation, packing and planning is required to make the trip a success.
I am not the “planner” in our family, so packing was a challenge for me to think ahead to what I we would all need. In fact we had to stop at H-E-B in Waco to pick up some things I forgot to bring along.
I was talking with my husband about thinking ahead and planning ahead is an area of growth for me. It reminded me of what April encouraged the new parents at baby dedication to begin with the end in mind. How many of us don’t plan or think ahead when we are packing our children’s hearts and minds for the journey of life? I know it is not something I always think about, but I know it is worth the effort because Proverbs 22:6 says ““Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”
I can think of three things I want to pack for my son.
The first is scripture. I want to teach my son to memorize scripture. King David wrote “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 NLT
The second is worship. I want my son to know who God is and learn why and how to worship Him. Paul tells us “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 NLT
The last is prayer. I want to teach my son that he has a direct connection to his Father in Heaven. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT
May I begin to open my heart to the Holy Spirit as He guides my parenting to pack my son’s heart with all he will need in this life. I am thankful for the volunteers who make GPK a great place to partner with my husband and I as our son packs his heart for his lifelong journey.
Alyssa Leal
Inclusion Ministry Coordinator