Years ago while my daughters were still in high school, I attended a college financing workshop. It was very informative but scary.
I’m the type of person that likes to keep all the ducks in a row, be certain of the next steps, and get a glimpse of what tomorrow holds. That gives me security. Yet during the ten years of homeschooling both our daughters, I had to learn to live by faith. Still, when I encounter “water-walking” moments, I have to grab a hold of my anchor of faith and consciously recall God’s promises and His sovereignty.
When my husband, Nestor, underwent his life purpose discovery in 2005, he experienced such a radical change in perspective of life in general that impacted all of us at home. As I look back and study the different pivotal moments in our family life, I realize it was God’s perfect timing and complete involvement. We could not have planned such life-changing experiences in our own human understanding.
At ages four and six our daughters had a direct revelation of their God-given life purpose.
Is that possible?
My husband and I are convinced it is possible for our children to discover their life purpose even at a young age because:
- • Our children come from God and thus have the ability to hear Him;
- • Our children’s minds are innocent and free from negative human limitations and fears; AND
- • Because of personal experience and the impact it had on our girls.
It is as we grow that we learn limitations, whether self-imposed or taught. Isn’t it ironic that the older we grow in human knowledge and understanding, the less we trust?
Ever since our daughters uttered God’s direct revelation, it provided them a tremendous amount of focus, direction, and intentionality in life.
Our older daughter’s heart for the mission field has always been there.
On one occasion when Gianna was about three or four years old, we were watching an old replay of a Billy Graham crusade. After watching a few minutes, my husband happened to turn to our daughter who had been intently watching with us. He noticed tears rolling down her chubby cheeks. We hugged her and asked if she was okay. She did not answer. She kept her eyes locked on the TV screen. The program was in English. Our daughter did not speak English yet. Since she was born, we decided to teach her our native language (Spanish) first as we knew that she would quickly learn English once she entered school.
How could she understand what was being said? In the human language, she could not understand, but in her spirit, she was in tune with God’s Spirit.
As I sat during the college financial planning seminar, it was mentioned that kids can get a degree in whatever they want, or whatever they’re passionate about, but that as parents we need to bring them to reality and guide them to choose a career that at the end of their four-year studies could provide good job opportunities to put food on their tables.
Oh me! That released a current of worry and fear inside me that as soon as the meeting ended I called my husband! I urged him how critical it was for us to speak some sense into our daughter about selecting a career that would put food on her table! (I had a horrifying “Frankie Heck” moment!) In my human knowledge and immediate reaction, missionary work is not a “lucrative” career, and you probably agree. It may put food on the table, but how much? For how long? And at what cost? What’s funny is that since my husband discovered his life purpose and immersed us in this understanding, we believe people should choose a career that aligns with and allows them to express their life purpose. Their career is a platform to live out their calling.
A few hours went by and after the adrenaline of fear had passed, the Holy Spirit calmed my worries by reminding me of what my husband had taught me a few years ago… The Element of Trust: to trust God with our children’s lives and their futures.
I had recently heard a sermon by Pastor Josh Morris in which he clarified that the opposite of Faith is not doubt but certainty. He explained that when we have certainty we don’t need God. But when we’re uncertain that’s when we need Him and must trust Him.
As Christian parents, and aware of God’s work in the lives of “our” children (they’re really God’s), we MUST trust that God will guide and sustain them.
We must be confident that:
- • God will make provision for our children’s vision because, by His divine power, God has given our children everything they need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).
- • God will take care of our kids because the Lord guarantees a blessing on everything our children do and will fill their storehouses with His prosperity (Deuteronomy 28:8 NLT)
- • Our children will bear fruit because they will be like trees planted along the riverbank; their leaves will never wither, and they will prosper in all they do (Psalm 1:3 NLT).
- • God will bless our children wherever they go and whatever they do (Deuteronomy 28:6 NLT).
- • The Lord will make our children the head and not the tail, and they will always be on top and never at the bottom (Deuteronomy 28:13 NLT).
- • Our children will experience God personally because when they ask, they will receive what they ask for. When they keep on seeking, they will find. When they keep on knocking, doors will be opened for them. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, doors open. (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT).
- • Our children will grow in their faith and say to mountains ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen (Mark 11:23 NLT).
- • God will do new things in our children’s lives for He promises “I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT).
- • Our children will prosper in all things and be in health, just as their soul prospers (3 John 1:2 NKJV).
- • God will guide our children’s steps because they trust in the Lord with all their heart; and not depend on their own understanding, and they will seek His will in all they do (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).
- • Our children’s lives will be filled with plenty because they will honor God with their possessions and with the firstfruits of all their increase (Prov 3:9-10 NKJV).
Phew! Don’t you feel much better recalling all these promises! I’m sure like me, you’ve learned to hang your hat on God’s promises. And God has come through every time.
Our beautiful Gianna began her college studies at The King’s University in the fall of 2017 at age sixteen (with 30 college credits already in her backpack). Inevitably, she is beyond excited about the new season that’s preparing her to live out the calling God has on her life.
Likewise, our beautiful daughter Nathalia began her studies also at the King’s in the fall of 2019 at age sixteen (with 39 college credits in her backpack as well). We have seen her growth and maturity as she embarked on the college journey at such a young age.
Once our children discover their life purpose and are confident and at peace of what God has called them to do, our job is to pray for them, support them, and anchor our emotions with the element of trust.