Sowing into the lives of our children

Philippians 1:6  “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This verse concluded Priscilla Docter’s article in the Gezinspraat section of the previous (F)Luistermagazine  and I would love to begin with it. It’s a promise I’ve spoken to God countless times. As parents, we sow, love, and model life. But it is He who gives the increase.

Praying Together

For years, my husband Hans blessed the children before they left for the day  and to this day, we take daily time to pray for them. We've witnessed countless wonders together. For fifteen years, we lived on gifts and our children saw and experienced that God provided exactly what we needed.

There were many times when God spoke clearly into situations. One of my children saw God’s hand in a dream, and in it lay my mother  their grandmother  when she passed away. That dream was a great comfort in a time of sorrow.

In another moment, God nudged me to ask six women to pray for my daughter, who was in a very difficult place. I asked a different woman for each day. For six weeks they prayed  and during those weeks, a breakthrough came. She was able to break free from the darkness.

I prayed constantly for wisdom in every decision  whether my children were heading out, attending events, or just living life. Time often became an ally. Frequently, the decision resolved itself: the event was canceled or something intervened, eliminating the need for deliberation.

So often, God whispered to me: “Love. Choose relationship. Solve with humor. Don’t make everything a problem.”

🎶 The Familiar Repertoire

We've attended the Opwekkingsconferentie for many years. Most years our children came along or visited for part of a day. They know the entire Opwekking repertoire by heart. Sometimes, the opening notes alone are enough for them to name the song. Likewise, they’ve picked up the infamous Elly & Rikkert trauma  those songs played countless times in our home. The lyrics are engraved in their memory. Another way seeds were planted.

God’s Embracing Arms

Especially during the years we lived in Romania, we faced major challenges  in loving, forgiving, and in being apart as a family. Our three eldest stayed behind in the Netherlands for their studies, and Hans often traveled back to assist them.

At times  even at great distance  I felt one of them struggling. I’d close my eyes, lift that child in my arms, and walk up an imaginary staircase. There I’d place them in Jesus’ arms: the safest place I know. And I would pray: “Lord, my arms cannot reach the Netherlands, but Yours span the globe. Would You give them a hug from me?”

Now, all our children are adults and nearly all have left the nest. I see the fruit of what we’ve sown. They love  their hearts are pure. They are finding their way: some walk with the Lord, others are still searching. They live in different places across Europe, yet through prayer… they are close.