For My Kids

This is for all of my children. Especially Andy on the eve of his marriage.

Scripture: A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.  Proverbs 12:4 NIV

Observation: King Solomon shares many truths through Proverbs 12.

Application: Andy & Heather, Rodney, Grace, and Ashley, as I read today I felt compelled to share with you how true I know this Proverb to be.  I lived my life in the past as I saw fit. I sought to please myself and my selfish desires.  I did not seek the Lord’s guidance in my personal life or my marriage. I was led by my lustful heart; my marriage failed.  I know that it was because of my sinful heart and that I never exhibited any spiritual leadership in my home that I failed. In many ways my ex-wife is like decay in my bones. She is a constant reminder to me of my failure to God, to her, and to my family.  Kids, I apologize for what I put all of you through because of my sinfulness and lack of leadership.  However, even though I know I don’t deserve it, God gave me another chance. He blessed me with Laurie.  She is a woman of God and she truly is like a crown for my head.
Andy, learn from my mistakes.  Don’t repeat them. Cherish the gift the God has given you in Heather. Remember how Tommy Nelson taught from the Song of Solomon that a man is to treat his ” ewe lamb” of a wife.  Adore her, encourage her, and she will grow in nobility before men.  Then she too, will be a crown that adorns your head like Laurie adorns mine.
Ashley, Rodney, Grace, all of you please remember to always treat the spouse that God gifts to you as something much more precious than yourselves. Do that to please the Lord and your marriages will be greatly blessed.

Prayer: Father, thank you for blessing me with a crown of honor that is Laurie. I pray for the same honor and blessing for my children.  I wish for them all to learn from the mistakes that Laurie and I made in our pasts.  I pray that they not repeat those mistakes and that their marriages are blessed and their spouses are crowns of honor for their heads. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Doug