Encouraging Treats

Three months ago, I was on the floor playing with our schnauzer when I overheard my parents’ conversation as they were having dinner. They were brainstorming about their action steps toward a certain issue which involved a temptation to do something which wouldn’t bring glory to God. If we think about it, that specific action wasn’t really a big problem. In fact, if we look at the world today, unfortunately, it has been a common practice by many. But clearly, that night, my parents did not have peace about it.

I don’t think they knew that I heard what they were talking about but because I was only a meter away, I did hear everything. After five minutes, my mom said “I told the people involved that it wouldn’t be right and pleasing to God if we did that action step. Even if it is more convenient to do it, I know that this would not honor God.”

My dad then encouraged her and said “It’s good that you were able to say that to them. I agree with you. We should follow the standard procedures even if it would mean incurring additional costs, etc. Praise God, Darl!”

Their voices faded in the background as I continued to play with our dog. “What a relief!” I thought to myself. “It would have been very difficult if one or both of them wanted to do what wasn’t glorifying to God.”

I learned a few things that night:

1. FUTURE PARTNER – For us single ladies, when praying for a partner to marry, it is crucial to choose someone who loves the Lord more than you, himself, or anything in this world. When someone loves the Lord more, by God’s grace, everything he will say, do, and think of will be for the glory of God. This desire and act of obedience will be out of the overflow of his love for the Lord. As a result, he will not only resist sin and pursue righteousness, but he will also lead his wife to pursue this and God as well.

In the same way, if we are given the privilege of becoming wives in the future, we must constantly build them up and encourage our husbands to continue loving the Lord and fleeing from sin.

2. ACCOUNTABILITY – Communication is key. Even if my parents have been married for more than 30 years, they still talk to each other and discuss concerns together. I learned that this is not only healthy for the relationship, but it also acts as an accountabilty system for a husband and his wife. Through this, they can process the situation together and encourage each other to become better for the Lord.

3. PERSONAL GROWTH IN THE LORD – Yes, it is only by God’s grace that we can say no to temptations and pursue God. But, I am learning that we still need to be intentional in growing in our walk with God; in abiding in His word. How can we obey someone we don’t trust and respect? How can we trust and respect someone we don’t know? How can we live for the Lord if we don’t even know who He really is? If we don’t study His word and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior?

“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” -Matthew‬ ‭22:37-38‬

We can do this! By God’s grace, let us love the Lord more each day. :)