I wrote last time about some thoughts I have been having about Deut. 6.  Before you read my thoughts here, I would recommend reading my last post (Sorry it is so long).  The short story is, what would my life look like if I really lived Deut. chapter 6.  What if I had a more discipleship approach to my children, instead of a more, "do it because I said so" approach?  What would that look like?

Dear Lord,

As I pull into my driveway, help the short distance from the road to my house be a reminder of the buffer that is between my home and the world.  May I leave the problems that need to remain outside my home, outside my home.  May I remember that those problems are like the dust of the gravel.  Here and annoying for a moment and soon driven away by the wind.

As I stand on my front deck, between the outside world and the home I have inside may I remember that I am your ambassador on a daily basis between the outside world and Your world, and may I remember that I am also an ambassador of my family.  Sometimes I protect, sometimes I defend, sometimes I just watch and smile, but it is my job to stand between the world and my home.

As I put my hand on the door knob, ready to enter my home, let me remember that you are truly Lord of my heart, and let my door always be open to You, Your direction, Your leading, and Your plan.

As I enter my home to greet my family, Lord, please help me to be an encouragement to them.  You never tire of seeing me or hearing from me.  You have never had a day so bad that you didn't want to hear about mine.  Please let me be that for my family.  Let me  hug, let me kiss, let me dry tears, and let me just enjoy being being a father, whether the specifics are pleasant or not.

As I smell the wonderful aromas of my wife's delicious meal, let me remember that every action, every thing I do is an aroma to you, please let it be pleasant, not a stench.

As I sit down to dinner with my family, and we fill ourselves with all the good things to eat, please, please, please Lord, help me to fill my family with your Word.  Let our table not only be a place to each physical food, but a place for discussion to fill their mind with knowledge about your world and your Word.

As we are in our Family room, let this room be an inviting room to all, whether family, friend or stranger, for now.  Let this be a place where family memories are built, and good times are remembered.  Let this be the place that truly earns the name "Family Room".

As we sit before our woodstove on this cold night, let me remember that you are a fire.  Please be a fire within me that warms and comforts those who need it, but let me never forget your raw power and strength that will also burn and consume.

As I look out my window at our property, our trees, our creek, our yard, help me remember that it isn't really mine.  You created it, you made it and you are letting me care for it, much as you are letting me care for your children who are in my care, even when they are hard to deal with.

As I watch my children play with their toys, help me to remember that all I own is simply that, a child's plaything to you.  It has no lasting value.  You are the only thing in my life that has value, You and the family you gave to me that I desire so much to be with me forever in your Heaven.

As we get ready for bed, help me remember that someday I will pass from this earth, and this "day" will be done.  Please help me to live in such a way and touch my children's lives in such a way that I will have no regrets when I am in the sunset of my life.

As I sit on my children's beds and look out the window help me remember that you are also the Lord of the night, nothing happens that You don't know about.

As I pray with my children I ask you to help this time be a sweet memory for them, a memory of their father teaching them to talk to his Father and making Him their Father as well.

As I tuck them in, help me to remember that even on their worst day, they have never done anything to me so evil as what I did to You when I nailed you to Your cross, spat on you, rejected you, reviled you and hated you.  Yet you loved me.  Help me also remember that these children are both a gift and a loan.  Please help me to train them so  I can spend eternity with them

As I spend a few precious moments with my wife, help me to be thankful for this gift, whether she needs a laugh, a hug, comforting, or just my presence.  What a gift!

As I prepare for bed and to end my day, help my bedroom to remind me first of my sacred vow to my wife and the holiness of it.  Help my bed to remind me that your mercies are new every morning.  I have never sinned so badly that You won't forgive me.

Help my home to reflect you in ever way.

In Jesus name

Amen