Only every day

Children are a blessing. They’re a gift from the Lord. A miracle entrusted to us. From the moment they are conceived they are wondrous miracles that we often take for granted.

Last week I had the privilege of spending several days with my sister, her son, and her brand new baby. There’s nothing like holding a brand new baby. The way they snuggle against you, the little sounds they make, the way they feel in your arms, the faces they make. They quite simply are amazing.

When my youngest son was born my mother said she thought my favorite time in a child’s life was birth to six months. She might have been right. I enjoy my children at every stage but there’s just something different about those first few months. And there’s something beyond amazing about those first few weeks.

I told my sister the other day that I think the newborn stage should last for a year. Although I’ll admit that for me a year with a brand new baby wouldn’t be enough. Because I’d never get tired of a newborn. They’re a lot of work but the joy more than makes up for it.

That could be said of children at any stage of life though. They are work but the joy they give us more than makes up for any work they create.

As I carried my three week old niece through the store I prayed for her, I begged the Lord to save her. I pleaded on her behalf. As I carried her, snuggled her against me, I couldn’t help the pain that made my soul ache.  I looked into those innocent little eyes and ached for her. I begged the Lord to make her one of His elect.

I do the same for my children and for others but in that moment as I held that new baby there was just something tugging at me that made me pray on her behalf, to beg for her future salvation.

Last night one of my daughters said…’you don’t pray for me to see things the way you do, do you?’ That hurt even though I knew she had no idea what she was asking…no idea what was at stake. But I did. She was talking about my belief in the Lord and the way I see Scripture. My answer to her…only every day.

Only every day.

Every day I pray for their salvation. Every day I ask the Lord to save them. Every day I pray and beg on their behalf. And it’s not enough. Because although they don’t know what’s at stake I do. I know what the alternative is. And every day isn’t enough. Every hour isn’t enough. Every minute isn’t enough.

Only every day leaves too much time open. Too many hours that could have been spent pleading for their salvation.

Because salvation is the Lord’s choice. It’s His place to save them or not as He wills. But as one of His people it’s my place to pray for their salvation. And they’re my children.

Only every day was the answer I gave my daughter but…

Only every day will never be enough.