A Parents Prayer by D. Kris Minefee 1993

Dear Lord, as I sit beside the bed of my child and watch their sleep, I am overcome by the blessing you have given to me. How can something this precious be placed in my care? How can this beautiful creation look at me with eyes so full of admiration and wonder? How can I live up to the task of not losing that innocent beauty to a world that would destroy it?

Lord, the time I have is so limited and cluttered with demands and deadlines. Yet when the deadlines pass I can't remember what made them so important. Meanwhile, at my feet a child looks up and asks me to play ball or be their horsy, look at their latest crayon masterpiece or just hold them in my lap. I know that I am the most important thing in the world to them. When will I fully realize that they must be the most important thing in all the world to me?

Lord, I know that someday they will walk away, no longer children but a young man or young woman. I understand I must release them either to You or to this world. Will I have been the teacher you wanted me to be? Will that child see in me the loving hand, the words of wisdom, the inexhaustible love of You, their Heavenly Father? Help me to make the time to show my children your love for them in me. Oh, my God if only one task I accomplish before my life is over, please let it be that my children will know You through me. I ask this in the name of your own Son. Amen 

(Note) I wrote this in 1993 when I and LeeOra were young parents. I look back now and realize that God has been gracious in answering this prayer. My children are grown and married or in college all faithfully attend and serve Him through church. We are now expecting our first grandchild and I pray that God will be as gracious to this generation as well.