A Parenting Model to Follow

[S] Esther 2:7,20 --
 ⁷He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 
 ²⁰Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care.  

[O] Mordecai was Esther's cousin who had the compassion to take her as his own daughter after her parents passed away.  This is such a beautiful picture of family standing up for each other in unity.  Not only did Mordecai brought up an orphaned cousin but he did it in such a way that created such a strong bond and respect that we can see in verse 20 about how Esther submitted to Mordecai's leadership in her life.  Through such a strong and edifying relationship, God works His amazing miracle of saving His people.

One of the areas my mind is very much focused on these days is about parenting my teenagers about how I can shepherd their hearts in such a way for us to establish a strong bonded and respectful relationship that God will work through.  So this story struck a chord in my heart as I was reading through.

[A] If an older cousin can bring up a younger cousin to fear God and to collaborate in executing God's redemptive plan, then I should have great hope with my own children God has granted in my family to achieve something awesomely wonderful in Him.  It's this waiting on Him with hope in Him that I need to do more than worrying about how to train them or deal with their growing phases.

[P] Father in Heaven, You have uplifted my spirit with this insight of Mordecai and Esther's relationship.  I praise You for boosting my perspective as a father of my children.  I will focus on raising my children by instilling in them the Hope that I find in You.  Thank You and pray in Your name.  Amen.