Before my girls woke up this morning, I was praying about my day. I am planning on going to Madelyn's class this afternoon for Picture Person, so I was praying about that. I asked God to show me which student needed an extra pat on the back, which student needed an encouraging word, which student needed a smile or an ear to listen. I never prayed that when I was teaching. But then it got me thinking, which of my daughters might need one of those things from me?

Once they woke up, it was apparent that the morning was going to be rough. And it was. With all three of them. In the midst of the chaos, I stopped to ask Madelyn if she even cared about pleasing God and me. She just looked confused and shrugged her shoulders.

I have a tendency to just get angry with my girls when they act this way in the morning. So after I felt the need to yell arise, I stopped. As I was talking to Madelyn about love, I realized that I talk the gospel to the girls, but I rarely show it to them when it counts. Like when they are acting most unloving. Like when Gracie is just crying and whining because she doesn't feel well. I wanted to be frustrated with her. And I was. But I tried to act loving instead. I tried to sympathize with her. I need to show love to them so they will have a desire to please me, and therefore, please God.

I also realized something else. I am not encouraging them to seek God on their own. So this morning, I am going to use post-it notes and their Bibles. I want to teach them what I am learning and show them where to find it in their own Bibles. I'm also going to try to remember to give them encouraging notes to build them up and show love to them.

The battle for their souls isn't mine alone. Isaiah 26:12 says, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." You see, God has given these girls to me so that I may point them towards Him, but He ultimately accomplishes the task of their salvation. I pray each of them will "obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:10.
I feel like Gracie is close to making that decision to live for God and not herself, but the battle is not mine alone. To God be the glory!