What’s a Parent to do?

…teach us what we should do….

Judges 13:8 CSB

I’ve begun a different type of journey-through-the-Bible. I’m studying each of the 222 prayers. Imagine, of all the prayers spoken through the ages, God selected these specific ones to record. I’m focusing on the types of things people prayed for and how God responded. It’s a rich and rewarding pilgrimage. 

This particular story caught my attention. Manoah happened to be the father of the infamous Samson, the man who lost his thick curly hair to Delilah’s scissors. Manoah’s prayer made me smile because it’s the cry of every parent’s heart. Manoah’s wife was barren. An Angel of God came to her with the message that she would conceive a son. God had chosen this son for holiness toward God from birth until the day of his death. When Manoah learned of this shocking event, he prayed with urgency, “Teach us what to do for this boy who will be born!” 

I remember a similar feeling as I held our very unhappy first-born daughter. We rocked and walked and went for rides in the car in an attempt to soothe her colic. My husband even created what I named “the Polish two-step” as he walked rhythmically, bouncing her gently in his arms. We had an assignment from God that we didn’t know how to handle. I often prayed in the wee hours of the night, “Lord, show me what to do!” 

Little did I know that I’d continue that same prayer when her two brothers and a baby sister arrived. The prayers continued through their school years, through college and even continue today for their own parenting. I understand Manoah’s prayer, and if you’re a parent, I’m sure you do too. I’m so thankful that I didn’t have to pray to a God I only knew about through stories of Moses’ miracles. Instead, I pray to the same God who revealed His love for me through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Manoah offered a lamb as a sacrifice to God. Jesus Christ offered Himself as my sacrifice. God didn’t have to send an angel to answer my prayers. I had the Holy Spirit to come beside me in my parenting journey. 

Jesus has come as my teacher, comforter and companion. And He’s there for the parents of my six granddaughters when they pray, “Teach us what we should do!” He was faithful then and will be every day until His return. One day, perhaps, the parents of my great granddaughters will be reciting the same prayer!    

Linda Les