Love, in the Spirit

You have a beautiful faith in Jesus; the word of the truth is bearing fruit in you as you love others in the Spirit, and I am so deeply, deeply thankful for you, my children.

We have taught about the grace of God since you were born. We have prayed for you, for your friends, for your future spouses since you were conceived- that you would know and love our Father in heaven, and that his Spirit would grow in you. I am not confused; you are no more perfect in your faith than I am, but I do see each of you responding to the power of the gospel, the life of God’s Spirit in you, and I pray with thankfulness daily.

We are in a period of new relationships- new schools, new challenges and opportunities- and I am in equal parts terrified and excited. Friends matter so very much; are you being a good friend? Are you choosing Jesus disciples to be closest to you? Are you bold and loving, kind and truthful? Are you Spirit-led in your texts, your social media, your lunchroom conversations?

In the opening of Colossians Paul joyfully greets the Christians because of the faith, love and hope they exhibit, the evidence of the Spirit in them. And the evidence he is so excited about is this- love, in the Spirit.

Father, I thank you again me again not just for my four, but for the many Spirit-filled kids and teens whose paths I’ve crossed. Thank you for their faith, love, and hope. I pray, Father, that each of these beautiful souls would have friends to love who love faithfully, through the fun times as well as the difficult. I pray our love for each other in the Spirit would grow in power, joy, and strength through our hope in Jesus. #prayersformychildren #friendshipprayersfromColossians