When Vance courted me, one of the first conversations we had was how many kids I wanted and what type of school would they attend. It seemed to seal the deal with him when my heart matched his: 4 kids – specifically 3 boys and a girl, with the girl being the baby, and they would be homeschooled. We went into marriage with that dream and before we were pregnant with our oldest, we were interviewing parents and homeschool families. We quickly identified families we admired with children we hoped ours would turn out like. We intentionally pursued relationships with these families and spent time with them. We attended homeschool conventions well before we had children and began to pick out curriculum. We read parenting books and watched our friends parent. We prepared – or so we thought – but more on that later.

In my mind, the foundation of prophetic parenting starts with having a vision.

Habakkuk 2: 2-3:

2 Then the Lord said to me,

“Write my answer plainly on tablets,

   so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.

3 This vision is for a future time.

   It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.

If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,

   for it will surely take place.

   It will not be delayed.

 

The New King James Version translates verse 2 a little differently: “Write the vision, And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.”

Write the vision …. And make it plain…. That he may run who reads it ….

 

A lot of wisdom is packed in those 14 simple words.

 

Write the vision…. The Hebrew word used for vision here is “chazown”. Chazown speaks of a prophetic vision – one that is inspired by God. It comes by dream or revelation. It is divine communication. Chazown is also used in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no chazown (vision), the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (KJV). The type of vision Habakkuk speaks of here can only come from hearing God directly and for ourselves.

 

And make it plain….The Hebrew word used for plain is “ba’ar” – to declare, to make clear, to engrave. The implication here is that the vision be so clear and succinct that there be no misunderstanding.

 

That he may run who reads it ….The Hebrew word used for run here is “ruwts” – to run swiftly, bring quickly, a footman or guard. The Hebrew word used here is “qara” – to be published or called out, to be proclaimed.

 

The Bible does not tell us a lot about Habakkuk. In the book that bears his name, he identifies himself as a prophet. In chapter 1, Habakkuk openly questioned the wisdom of God and at the start of chapter 2, Habakkuk awaits God’s response. God answers with an instruction – “Listen to what I am about to tell you and write it down in such a succinct way that anyone who hears or sees it can respond – they can run swiftly, carefully guarding the word, and carrying it forward.”

 

Think about advertising. Good advertising is succinct – you know from reading the sign what is being sold. Clear messaging is Marketing 101. When you see a spotted cow holding a paintbrush on a large billboard, chances are good they are selling chicken. You would go there for delicious chicken nuggets and lemonade, not chips and salsa. Kids can identify products from a young age simply by the images on the advertisement. Having a vision for your family is as important to parenting as the spotted cow is to Chick fil A. Solomon said without vision, a people perish. The Amplified version puts it this way:

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]. Proverbs 29:18

Remember that the word “vision” in this verse is the same one use in Habakkuk 2:2. When God gives us His vision and revelation for our family, and we obey and follow Him, we are blessed. His revelation restrains us and our children. His vision becomes the boundary lines that provide safety and security to us and our household. The revelation and vision He provides to us become the road map we follow. Without it, we would be lost, aimlessly wandering through life with nothing to aim at.

In verse 3 above, the Lord told Habakkuk that the vision was for a future time and that he should wait patiently for it. While Habakkuk’s vision was related to the future of Israel, the truths in these two verses are applicable to our lives today. Whether you are seeking God to give you a vision for your business or for your family, the revelation He gives us is often long term. We as humans in our finite minds see just what’s in front of us. Our world is so fast paced that we often become enslaved by instant gratification. When we want something, we want it now and will go into debt to get it. The prevalence and success of fast food restaurants should give us a clue. But the Lord sees differently. He sees things from an eternal perspective. When we seek Him for His vision for our family, we ask Him to show us a glimpse of what He sees and we walk, in faith, believing that God’s word to us and God’s timing will intersect creating divine encounters. Our lives are full of them. One crucial truth we have found in our journey with prophetic parenting is patience. It takes time to cultivate good fruit.

In my next post I will share more about our family vision and how we wrote it… until then, may God be gracious to you and begin to stir your hearts with His vision for you and your family.

Grace unto you ~ Marci