TRINITYWOMEN: News You Can Use – June 2015
June is the month during which we celebrate Father’s Day and, in some Christian traditions, Children’s Day, as well. A father is so important in a child’s life. For a son, he models manhood, giving the child his first image of the person, husband and father that he will be someday. A father also has a powerful influence on his daughter. Her self-image is largely shaped by the treatment that she receives from this first man in her life. If she feels loved and accepted by him, she is far less likely to seek the illicit attention of some purely hormone-driven man. A girl’s father is also a living demonstration of what she should expect from the future man in her life to whom she gives her heart. Most importantly, for both genders, a father is the first model of the Heavenly Father and this earthly parent can be very instrumental in guiding a child into a wonderful relationship with God through Jesus Christ or driving the child far away from Him.
Ladies, if you’re rearing your child with your husband, first of all, thank God. Then pray for him to be the husband and father that God desires for him to be to ensure a spiritually and relationally strong family. If, in God’s providence, you are rearing your child without the presence of a father in the home, prayer is essential for you, too. Ask the Lord to send godly men to be supportive influences in your child’s life. You are not really alone in this most daunting task of child-rearing. God has promised to be a father to the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5)
For those among us who do not have the responsibility of rearing children, please pray for those who do, not only because we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) but in recognition of the fact that the quality of children emerging from the homes in our country has a direct impact on the future of our society at large. We all have a stake in who fills our pulpits, political offices, professorships, board rooms, etc. The promise in Psalm 33:12 is still in effect today. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour, where Christ is Head, and Counsellor and Guide; where ev’ry child is taught His love and favor and gives his heart to Christ, the crucified. How sweet to know that tho’ his footsteps waver, his faithful Lord is walking by his side!
O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers, who always place their hope and trust in Him; whose tender patience turmoil never bothers, whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim; a home where each finds joy in serving others, and love still shines, tho’ days be dark and grim.
O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master, the Bible read, the precious hymns still sung; where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster, and praise is natural speech to ev’ry tongue; where mountains move before a faith that’s vaster, and Christ sufficient is for old and young.
O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever! We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care; their bonds of love no enemy can sever if Thou art always Lord and Master there. Be Thou the center of our least endeavor. Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.
- Barbara B. Hart
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find our small group meetings listed in a feature titled, “The Gathering Place”. There’s an article by TrinityLife member, Amy Philadelphia, in the TWAM section. In “The Family Room”, we have an article on fatherhood submitted by Cheryl Joel, who, along with her husband, Tremaine, conducts TrinityLife’s pre-marriage classes. The author of this month’s devotional in the “God’s Woman” series is Cheryl Joel. Look in “The Cook’s Corner” for an interesting recipe from the kitchen of TrinityLife member, Diane Zekoll. The “Sneak Peeks” section will give you a hint of future growth and fellowship opportunities and we list some other ways that you can connect with us in the “Did You Know?” feature. Enjoy!
