Deposits of Influence

God provides. I love to look back on life and see one set of footprints. I know it is in those moments that God was carrying me and our family! I spent some time this morning reflecting on the young people God provided to babysit our children when they were young. Who keeps your kids is very important. They influence, they protect, and they have been entrusted with “prized possessions!” Especially since Thomas was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age, we needed very responsible young people! God provided the best of the best.

One babysitter, whom they affectionately called “Sissy,” was the main babysitter. She is now married with three boys, two of whom she fostered before they were adopted. She is a great mom, wife, friend and lover of Jesus. Jeff and John, brothers, were also great babysitters. One is now an offensive coordinator at Clemson and the other is a doctor who has dedicated his life to medical missions, both lovers of Jesus. God also provided a couple whose name I cannot give you because of the sensitive nature of their work. They have four children and are full-time workers, also lovers of Jesus. Their monthly newsletter about their work in a foreign land is one of the things I look forward to the most.

Then there was Lil, Andrea, and Krista. All of whom are now great mothers and Jesus lovers. Michelle and Sara gladly kept our kids when we were visiting my parents and needed their help. They are now mothers and lovers of Jesus. Another “keeper of the kids as they got older” was a guy name Jack who played college golf and basketball. He took Collins to several golf tournaments when Bill and I couldn’t go. He also is a lover of Jesus and is now in full-time ministry with athletes in college and professional sports. There were also those friends and family who were already parents and made room in their lives to keep ours! We have been GREATLY BLESSED!

Reflecting is a great thing to do. I have learned that one way to grow my faith is to look back and see how God provided. Today, because of these young people and families who were willing to babysit, our children have a relationship and a fondness for these STRONG ROLE Models, most of whom are younger than Bill and I. God provided people who were willing to build relationships with our children and who still invest in our kids even though they now have their own lives, families and responsibilities! Even back then I was confident of the lives these young sitters would lead…I could see it….in their actions with our kids. :o)

The New Testament talks a lot about investing in those coming behind us. The older discipling the younger, being a role model for other believers. Titus 2:7-8 tells us to “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, …” And 2 Corinthians 3:3, “And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” I am so thankful that all of those who watched our kids modeled these verses for our family.

Point of post…where can you look back in your life…and rejoice and be grateful over God’s provision?

Two things I would encourage you with today. First, grow your faith by taking the time to “play it forward” in someone else’s life. Be God’s provision for someone else.

Second, if you are a young parent in need of a “sitter for your kids,” pray and ask God to provide. It is extremely important WHO cares for your kids when you are away…and it is also important to get away…have some ME time….a break to refresh and regroup….it is good for your children too. The right babysitters can play a SIGNIFICANT ROLE in your kid’s life long after they don’t need one!

Be diligent as you seek God in leading you to others who can positively invest in your children. Sincere people making the right deposits in the lives of your kids can plant a seed of influence for eternity.

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