Detours

"":When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”". Exodus 13:17 (NIV)

God did not lead the Israelites on a direct path from Egypt to the Promised Land. Instead, He opted for a route that avoided obstacles and challenged them to evaluate their hearts. In the course of our parenting journey, God sometimes takes us on detours that seem counterproductive. While we often have a wonderful story written for the lives of our children, it is usually one that does not include pain and hardship. Inevitably God's story takes us to places we wouldn't choose to go on our own, but they are the very routes that develop maturity, integrity, and perseverance.

When you are in the midst of one of these detours, challenge yourself to adopt God's eternal perspective. He is making your kids more like His. God bless