Happy Friday Everyone! Thank you to everyone who checked to see if everything was okay on Wednesday after my posting later than usual. I appreciate your care and prayers more than you know.
If you have looked at “My Faves” on the sidebar, you know that I am reading through the Chronological Bible this year. I am continually amazed at how the Lord is so good to make each reading relevant, even when it pertains to things that occurred over two thousand years ago.
Currently, we are reading in 1 Kings 5 & 6, as well as 2 Chronicles 2 & 3. In these chapters, Solomon has begun his reign as king and has begun preparations for building the Temple “to honor the name of the Lord his God.”
Solomon’s father, King David, gave him the responsibility of building the Temple even before Solomon was crowned king. This was God’s command for him. Solomon, after waiting to be crowned (his brother also wanted to be king), and reigning for four years, finally began laying the Temple foundation. Seven years later, after much time and effort, the Temple was complete.
As I read this account of building the Temple, I couldn’t help but see a parallel to the person God is building in each of our children. Notice that Solomon knew his responsibility ahead of time, but only in God’s perfect timing was he able to begin the building process. Only then, did he realize the magnitude of the job. Having children is the same. How many of us had to wait patiently for God’s perfect timing for children, rather than ours. Then, when they arrived, we knew we just acquired a huge responsibility for parenting them.
I also couldn’t help but notice how incredibly long building the temple took. It was not simple or quick. The hands of the master artists delicately formed each detail, from solid gold-covered cherubim, to cedar engravings. Our children are the same. We may wish we only had seven years to build character, values, and morals. Instead, we use a lifelong process of delicately helping them become who God intended them to be. Through this, we realize that only through the hands of the Master Artist, God, can they become pure gold. Only with lots of time and attention, can they be beautiful.
As I read this account of Solomon, I find hope as a parent - hope that God will see us through. I also find God’s perspective.With Him, no time with children is wasted, and in the end, every detail will bring glory to Him, the Lord our God.
What hope or perspective have you found as a parent?