31 Days of Prayer: Seven (Justice)

Justice

Children:
"God, help my children love justice as You do and act justly in all they do."

Myself and Others:
"God, help ____________ love justice as You do and act justly in all things."

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. Psalm 11:7

Yesterday, Grant and Ethan got in trouble at the same time for two different offenses. Ethan was not obeying after I had asked him to start picking up toys in the playroom. Grant got in trouble for yelling at Ethan because he was not picking up toys in the playroom. Both boys were asked to come downstairs and remove a token from the token board.

After removing their tags Grant protested, "Ethan should only have three tokens. He still has four. He lost two tokens yesterday."

"When did he lose the second one? I only remember him losing one."

Pause. {Grant searching his memory.} "I'm not sure, but I know he lost two."

I walk over to the board. Grant only had two tokens remaining.

"Buddy, I think you are ultimately upset because you only have two left and that Ethan has more than you."

"No, mom! I remember he lost two yesterday and he didn't take them all off. I just know it."

We went round and round. The conversation ended with the conclusion that we aren't to be concerned with other's token. Only our own.

Grant has a deep sense of justice. He strongly desires for things to be fair and right. Unfortunately at his age, this desire for justice is oftentimes misplaced. Much like this token incident.

As his mom, I want to point out what is going on in his heart. I want him to know what is driving the emotion behind his argument. Justice. I want him to know that God is Just. He loves was is right. It is good that Grant desires these things, too. This character trait is in the image of our God.

I pray that as my children mature, so will their desire for mercy and justice. I pray that I can foster this trait in my boys and help them to see true injustice in this life. I pray they will grow in compassion for the needy and have a heart for the things of this world that are truly unjust.