Sometimes as a mother I am tempted to think (desire) that I can somehow save my children. The magic formula that I default to is often prayer, but sometimes also Bible stories and godly behavior. If I pray enough for our kids they'll be saved, right? Wrong! "No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him--for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever..." Psalm 49:7-8 No, surely all of those things are false hopes in and of themselves. BUT God can save my children. And will He? I have every reason to hope and believe so. "For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You." Psalm 85:5 Prayer and Bible reading and godly examples are the right thing to do...but only in the sense that they direct us to our only Hope. Just this morning Charlie came to me and declared, "Mom, close your eyes. We need to thank God for helping me find my special marker that was lost." He proceeded to pray a precious but rather formal prayer of thanks. Perhaps, Lord, He is beginning to recognize You for who You are--the giver of all good gifts and the all-seeing One? How I pray that one day soon he would also see You are his Father, Savior, and very best friend. Lord, You alone can do this. And I trust You will, because You abound in loving kindness to all who call upon You.