Never in a million years would I have thought that I will be able to create an avenue or have a website with the aim to encourage and spur parents (especially mothers) of young children to instil the love and word of God in their children: To know that God is real and not a figment of their imagination. This desire has been in me ever since I became born again and started having children – over 35 years ago.
I tried for so long to wave the thought off my mind as I felt inadequate. However, each time I tried to do that, I get words of inspiration and encouragement from God during my Quiet Time so, I started writing them down in a notebook. Towards the end of 2020, I was inspired by Deuteronomy 31: 12 – 13 which I will be using as the motto of Lasting Footprints.
“Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”
As already stated, I am a mother of four and believe me, it is a hard job taking care of four children but thanks be to God for His help and for giving me a wonderful husband who really helped at all times. As parents, who have experienced what the world was then and hoping for a better future for our children, our first priority was to see them grow to love and know who God really is. The only way to do this was to introduce them to the word of God in a way that they will enjoy, watering all our efforts with prayers. It was also very important to my husband and I that we don’t just say it but the children must also see us believe and act what we are teaching them.
My experience from being a Sunday school teacher over the years has made me realise that children are like open tapes, it is what you put in them that sticks. That is why the bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he grows up he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22: 6). The earlier the love and word of God is introduced, the easier it will be as they grow up because the foundation has already been laid. Research has also shown that the first five years of a child’s life are particularly important for the development of the brain, experiences and relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new perspective and value to life. People are now looking back and setting the right priorities in life – thinking ahead of what the future holds for the next generations to come. This is where parents/guardians are needed to make sure the feet of these children are well grounded to face the future. Unfortunately, the future of the world we are currently living in is bleak without God.
It has been God’s plan all along for children to be taught to know Him – they are His heritage. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14 NKJV)
My desire is to encourage and help parents/guardians through prayers and shared practical experiences, invest all they can spiritually on these children as this will leave lasting footprints from one generation to another thus giving glory to God. I strongly believe that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think and that parents/children will be encouraged to know that they are not alone on this journey of life.
lastingfootprints.co.uk 