Is it possible? To discover God’s plan for our kids?

I can give you a rundown of gifts, talents, and abilities. I can list strengths and weaknesses. Favorite food. Shoe size. Taste in music.

But God’s specific plan for each one? He hasn’t told me, though surely I have a handle on it. My mother’s intuition, right?

Um, at first, not so much.

Here are three steps which continue to give me a clue. Maybe they’ll help you too.

1. Prayer, Specific Prayer

Shape their passions to fit Your plans.

I love this prayer. A friend in my prayer group and I found ourselves walking similar paths as our sons pursued careers in special operations forces. Hers, Air Force. Mine, Navy. As we prayed for our boys, she shared a prayer she and her husband prayed as their son sought God’s will:

Shape his passions to fit Your plan, God.

I’ve prayed it ever since.

Wait

I know. No one likes this part, but give God time and space to work. And keep praying. The same prayer. Every day.

Watch

What I began to see as I prayed were shifts. Changes in direction.

• My sit-behind-a-desk financial son serves in the Navy’s special operations forces—while overseeing his stock portfolio.
• My extroverted, networking, never-behind-the-desk child is pursuing—accounting.
• My fine arts child excels in—chemistry.
• The baby? Only God knows at this point. Really.

As they grow and question God’s will for their lives, I’m always available to give what is, hopefully, wise counsel. More often, I find myself taking each by the shoulders and turning them toward their Heavenly Father for a chat. After all, He’s the One with the plan. Though I pray alongside them, they must seek Him and His will directly. One on one.

And there are no age parameters. Don’t hesitate to lead your little ones to ask and wait. About everything. You will cultivate a heart that not only heads straight for their Source but also waits for an answer.

So, try this prayer for your kids or grandkids. Wait and watch what God will do, because:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)

He may clue you in, though.

(The picture above is our annual family picture. We craft a theme for each year. It makes the picture-taking experience a memory maker. Last year’s theme was Clue. We’re missing our oldest. Active duty, no pictures allowed.)

Questions:

What did your parents want you to do when you grew up?

What dreams did God put on your heart?

What could you see your children or grandchildren doing?

If they pursued something completely different, would it bother you?

Is it hard to relinquish control of the kids to God?

Kids, what dreams has God put on your heart?

Do you talk to God about the future He has for you?

Tweetables:

God's plan for our kids. I thought I had a handle on it. Was I in for a surprise. Click To Tweet
Here are three steps which helped me. Maybe they'll give you a clue too. Click To Tweet

Shape their passions to fit Your plans. Click To Tweet

What I began to see as I prayed were shifts. Changes in direction. Click To Tweet
Don’t hesitate to lead your little ones to ask and wait. You will cultivate a heart that not only heads straight for their Source but also waits for an answer. Click To Tweet