Genesis 28: Parents

An Unexpected Place of Encounter

Genesis 28:16
"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!'"

Imagine your son returning from his usual playground adventure, face glowing with excitement. He encountered a nest of hatching birds in a corner of the park he'd never explored. He'd been to the playground many times, yet had no idea such wonder existed in that familiar space.

Jacob, too, found himself in a familiar place, the wilderness, on his journey. Yet, it became a place of divine encounter when he dreamt of a ladder connecting heaven and earth. Awakening, he exclaimed, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!"

In our parenting journey, it's a wonderful opportunity to remind our children that God isn’t confined to certain locations or circumstances. He can meet us anywhere, even in unexpected places or situations. The playground of our daily lives can become the meeting ground of divine encounters.

Next time you pray with your kids, remind them that God is everywhere. Whether at school, at a friend's house, or in a quiet corner of their room, God can speak to them, comfort them, guide them. Encourage them to be open to these divine 'playground' moments, nurturing a continuous, personal relationship with the Lord.