A Nursery for Heaven

First, I want to thank my blogging wife for allowing me this guest appearance on her blog.  If you didn't realize it was "her's," take note of the now very feminine blog template.  If it were mine, that would never fly.

Anyway, I wanted to pass on something God has been pounding into my thick skull lately.  I have been challenged by the book of Deuteronomy to step up and make my home centered on God and His Word.  Deuteronomy 6 says,

6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise

So, first God's Word needs to "be on your heart," then like an overflowing cup, it should flow out of your mouth all throughout the day and night.

I was reminded of this challenge again today as I read this segment of a prayer from Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers (this prayer was posted on challies.com for Mother's Day),

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,
instruction, discipline, example,
that my house may be a nursery for heaven,
my church the garden of the Lord,
enriched with trees of righteousness of thy planting,
for thy glory;

A nursery for heaven -- trees of righteousness -- Wow!  What a thought!  As we continue day by day participating in these divine institutions (family and church), may we be known as those who knew and loved the Scriptures.  May it be ever on our hearts and on our tongues that our children and those under our influence may become trees of righteousness in the garden of the Lord.