Parent Teacher Conference...with God

While in college, I was assigned observation hours in a small school surrounded by what seemed to be miles and miles of corn fields.  It was there, in the only fifth grade class, I saw the most pitiful child ever. A quiet, doe-eyed, curly haired boy, who just so happened to be the son of the teacher I was observing. To make matters worse, his mother taught another grade down the hall. School never stopped for this kid.

I wonder how parent teacher conferences were approached.  

The father: "I'm glad you could make it today."

The mother: "Really?!  Frank, I have papers to grade.  Can't we talk about this over dinner?" 

While this scenario sounds funny, it would actually be a sad case if his parents only discussed their son's progress and challenges during appointed times set by the school. Regrettably, this sad case is often reflected in the prayer lives of "church goers" who only conference with God during appointed times set by their religion or unfortunate circumstances.

God the Father, wants to conference with us every day during our times of prayer and meditation and (gasp) maybe even during our planning times at school.  This one on one time allows us and God to speak frequently and openly together about those things that He has birthed in us which He wants to use to bring others closer to Him. 

Now, let's reflect on parent teacher conferences that you have been a part of and compare it to how we approach God in prayer.

Whatchu talkin 'bout God?

Do we come to God like the parents who act blind-sided by everything you're telling them even though you've sent message after message and grade after grade?  Sometimes we feign confusion about our current situation during times of prayer although we know we're not listening to the messages that God has been revealing to us.

Or

Did I do that?

Do we enter into our times of prayer like those parents who wonder why their child, whose lunch box they fill with sodas, candy, cookies and other sugary delights, can't sit still? Maybe we enter into our times of prayer like a parent who wonders why their child, for whom study skills and homework completion aren't required and enforced at home, are failing. Sometimes we don't seek the deep things of God because we don't want Him to expose the things in us that need to be changed.  Deep down, we know that we are a major source of the problem that we're praying about. It's just easier not to make any changes because we feel it's too difficult to activate our authority and self-discipline.

or

Do we come into prayer like the parent who you don't actually meet until field day...or next year?  Our prayer life can be reflective of that when we have the

Hakuna Matata... I don't need to pray.

a) "life is good so I don't really need to talk to God that much because He's obviously pleased with me", or 

b) the "I know I'm wrong, but God knows my heart so I really don't have to change" attitude.  

We have to make sure we don't rationalize the neglected parts of our prayer lives.

Remember, prayer is simply communicating with God and should be something that is consistent and a tool of change.  In our everyday conferences with God, He wants us to come to Him to talk...and listen.  He wants to talk about what we are supposed to be raising together with Him; our call to teach, our finances, our health, our spiritual walk, and our family. God doesn't keep office hours. He never sleeps nor slumbers. So feel free to approach Him at any time to chat and listen. You don't have to go far...He lives within you.  Have a great work week!

The Lord is with you and you are loved,

Toni

P.S.

When you read the bible this week, take note of some of those who talked and listened to God;  King David,  Gideon,  Jeremiah  and  Peter).  See how their effectual, fervent prayers changed the lives of everyone around them.  

Here's a great song to welcome in your work week!!!