Parenting by Design - June 5

Detours

Exodus 13:17:  "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter" (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 an eternal perspective.