Has anyone ever asked you that question? And did you struggle to know how to answer? Did you wonder why they asked what's on your heart instead of what's on your mind, or how you are doing? What does that even mean? The Heart... What is the heart? And what does this subject have to do with parenting? Proverbs 4:23 (NLT), says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." That sounds like the heart is a powerful thing. Don’t we tend to think that our mind determines our choices... Or the course we take in life?... Not according to the Word of God!

We tend to ask our children, "What were you thinking?! Where was your brain? Why did you do that?!" And we shake our heads in frustration or disgust at that foolish thing they just did. We wonder, when will they ever learn?! Why do I tell them the same thing over and over and they just don't learn?! We would be wise to take some time to learn to understand the heart. To recognize that what we (or our children) do, has more to do with what's in the heart than anything else. If we desire to have our children's hearts, we must care for their hearts. Care about what's going on in their hearts. Care how their hearts feel. And in order to do that, we must first know what is in our own hearts. Are you guarding your heart with all diligence? Do you actually know what's going on in your heart? Do you take time daily to stop and pause and look, check in with your heart and acknowledge what's going on there? Are you honest with yourself why you are doing what you are doing? Do you put enough value on the heart that God gave you, to face the pain when someone's words have hurt you, or acknowledge if you are feeling lonely, or unheard or not cared about. We need to take the time & value ourselves enough to face all these things, if we are going to do what God's word says and guard our heart with all diligence. When we recognize what's going on in our heart, the next thing we need to do is ask ourselves is it true and why do I feel this way? We need to bring the pain or the loneliness to Jesus and recognize that He can heal and fill those places. We must bring our thoughts captive, to the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10 We all know what a physical heart is, and how important its job is to our physical body. If the heart's not functioning correctly, neither is the rest of the body. Health will decline and we won't be able to function the way we were designed to. In the same way, we must take a look at our children's hearts and care about their hearts in a way that they can relate to, because if we don't, their hearts will begin to shut down toward us and they will not function the way God designed children to function. What that means practically, is that rather than ask questions from our head or our mind, we ask questions that show that we know there's things going on in their heart behind the scenes. And we help them recognize what's going on there.

We acknowledge the pain, the struggles, the ways they were wounded or wronged, or even lied to. Caring about their heart means that we show value to what they feel. It doesn't mean it determines the outcome, but it means that they know that Mom and Dad care and understand and love them. It means that we put a true value on what they are feeling even if it seems petty or insignificant to us as adults. It may be as simple as saying, "I see that you are feeling very angry right now, but what did you feel in your heart, when that happened?... Did you feel like I don't love you, or did you feel like you are a bad person?" etc. It's getting to the very root of the attitudes or actions and then listening with a desire to show love & care, as well as expose the lies of the enemy, and speaking the truth with love. If we want to see our children growing in truth and godliness, we must guard their hearts with all diligence because out of their hearts will flow the direction of their life. If we are not caring about their hearts, and guarding and guiding them, who will? It's worth every extra moment of time to sit with them and listen to what's on their hearts. The relationship that you as a parent can have with a child whose heart is cared about, is beautiful and truly the heart of God. It's a beautiful piece of heaven on earth. Parents, please put the value that God does, on your child. Children truly are an inheritance from the Lord, and we would never doubt the value of an inheritance of worldly money. So, let's lay up our treasures in heaven, believing that one day we will receive a reward from the Lord, as well as the reward of godly children who are a blessing to us in return. So, to you, weary mommies and you, tired daddies, do not be weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you do not faint. (Galatians 6:9) Your children will rise up and call you blessed. (Proverbs 31:28) Your light will shine, and you will be like a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14) And last, But not least, "They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31, NLT)

Waiting on the Lord can mean a couple of things. 1. Waiting as in, being quiet, spending time in His presence, being honest about what's on your heart and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart and strengthen you. 2. A waiter serves. They know what their job is about. They know what they are there for. They know it's not about them, but about the ease and comfort and well-being of others. Do we recognize that role as parents to our children? Do we recognize that we are waiting on the Lord as we serve and minister to our children's hearts? It changes everything when we do. Like a friend recently shared, it's not about "I have to" but "I get to"! May the Lord bless you abundantly above and beyond anything you could ask and think, as you care about and minister to your children's hearts!