Timothy’s Mom and grandma, not only pointed him to Christ (2 Timothy 1:5) but they also set him apart for Christ (1 Corinthians 7:14). As parents we are to recognize that the children placed in our families, are not ‘OUR CHILDREN” we are given a stewardship responsibility to raise those children to serve God with their lives. This does not mean that they have to go into vocational ministry (although that may happen), rather it means that they need to understand that their lives belong to God. As parents that also means, that we need to allow God to work in their lives in His timetable not ours! With our actions we need to do this by our quiet example, walking consistently and wisely in our world (1 Peter 3:1). With our words we must encourage them that God has gifted them in special ways (1 Corinthians 12:11), remind them that God only asks them to do their job! And with our hearts we are to pray for them daily (Philippians 1:3-4). We MUST remember – Prayer is not our last resort, it is, and must be our first priority! What a wonderful gift children are, let us not loose sight of our goal in raising them.