Did you know that as a spirit-filled believer that your presence represents the glory of God? And because you represent the light of His glory, when you step into a situation—that darkness must flee? Did you know that you are a spiritual covering for somebody? And hopefully, somebody is a spiritual covering for you!

As parents, we spiritually cover our children! In fact,it is important that they know that the covenant relationship that you have over their lives doesn’t just go away because they got their driver’s license, their first boy or girl-friend or because they turned 16, 18 or 21.

Are you covered?

As my daughters reached the college age, it was important that we let them know that they were covered. No, I am not speaking about their insurance coverage—I am speaking about the covering that I have, as the Spiritual Head of House over my wife and children. In that regard, I am referencing the covering that I have over them spiritually.

In case you are not familiar with what this means—it primarily spans the time our children are born—until they are functional members of society. When they were in our homes, we covered them directly. That is:

• We covered them physically—to protect them from any harm that would come against them.
• We covered them materially—to ensure that they ate, were clothed and had a warm place to grow and live.
• We also covered them emotionally—to ensure that they had the opportunity to grow into rational human beings.
• We covered them spiritually—to ensure that we were adhering to the biblical precepts that were prescribed in the Word of God to enable our children to realize the fullness of their destinies.

Times Change—Covenants Don’t!

We can honestly say, that we at least tried to do each of these things to the best of our ability. But as our children begin reaching an age of independence, there was less and less of a need for us to cover them physically because they had gained the wisdom that they needed to be able to move and operate safely in society.

In fact, there is also a lessening in the need to cover them materially, either because we could not or choose not in an effort to teach them the value of things and the cost of living. All children need to know that their parents don’t get a discount on life—and that everything has a price.

The emotional need for us to cover them continues as they begin to move into adult-level relationships and develop adult level responsibilities. We are encourage them and catch them, if need be, so that we can help right them until they become fully proficient at emotionally righting themselves.

But spiritually, we maintain the same level of covering while they were in our home, until they establish a new covenant relationship. In that, my spiritual covering as the Spiritual Head of Household shifts to their household through marriage. We will always maintain a spiritual responsibility because these are our children—but we will release the “covenant” aspects to their mates.

What Many Parents Miss!

We have watched families as their children leave the nest. Many parents struggle in the release of their children to the next level of life. But don’t get me wrong—it’s not as easy as it sounds!

As early as our oldest daughter’s freshman year in high school we realized that we had only four more years to get her ready for life. Especially because we knew that we weren’t anywhere near finished pouring into her life the wisdom and knowledge that she needed to be successful!

What we have learned is that most parents make a mistake in this area. In an effort to bridge the gap as they prepare to release their kids, they begin to pour into their lives financially. And while financial support is important, it is nothing compared to sitting down and having basic conversations about life. Because those are the conversations you will wish you had once they head off to college with your money in their pocket.

What Happens…Has to Happen!

Children, without parents looking over their shoulders, readily accept those monies and do what they will. It is here that we begin to see the real fruit of the seeds that we parents have sown in their lives. Without an active covering, the prodigal behavior often is realized. Too often the collegiate level results, (i.e. the fruit) are not in line with the parent’s expectations and discord ensues.

In fact, so many times after buying the gifts, attending the going away party and celebrating our children as they depart home…they are back and defeated. The reason is that expectations were not met—either theirs, yours—or the schools: and they come back home.

And that’s where we have learned, after having three daughters in college, that often their success comes with them; sometimes in spite of them—often through them, because of their spiritual covering. Even relationally, they have been taught that they are in a covenant relationship with their father—until they are married.

Of course, if you haven’t had a spiritual relationship with your children—or if you don’t have a spiritual relationship with the Lord, then this is foolishness to you. And with that, you have cast your children off to be covered by the World…instead of a father and a God who loves them.

How Important is a Covering?

The powerful impact of a covering, can be measured by impact of not having a covering. Look at the youth in our inner-cities. Many are raised in a home where there is no father, or Spiritual Head of Household. The impact is measured in the statistics of our young men and young women who do not have a spiritual covering—and many do not have the emotional, physical or material covering as well.

And a covering is not just the mandate associated with being the Spiritual Head of the Household. A Mother is a covering; an older sibling is a covering; in fact, you don’t even have to be related to be a covering for others. That is, simply by association, you are a covering, as a believer, for those whom you work with—and those that you are associated with.

It’s like this—there are those who are around you that are protected simply by your presence! The grace and mercy that is on your life, is extended to those who are in your proximity—simply because of the favor on your life!

Let me say it this way, because of the promises of God on your life, because the Lord’s protection over your life covers the lives of others. And that includes non-believers. There are times when the boat you are in should sink or the plane should crash—but it doesn’t because of what God has committed to you for your life!

Blessed by Association

One example was a strong believer who is called to be a blessing and understands the impact and need to cover the lives of others. When she took a job, it was because the owner, a friend, asked her to work there.

The owner believed that their business needed her as a spirit-filled believer to help cover their business. And for a while the business prospered like it had not before—even in a difficult economic season.

However, the owners who were partners could not agree on key business practices—or much of anything else. So much so, that they essentially dissolved their partnership and continued to try to run the business. And that alone would have doomed the business—except this Christian woman continued to serve there and minister to the clients and work associates.

But there came a time when the Lord told the woman that her time was up. And literally within a week, she gave her notice, and she was gone. For several months the business seemed to be doing fine whenever she drove by the business.

Then out of nowhere, the business ownership changed. Upon inquiring, to determine what had happened, a former work associate said, “Once you left, the business went down-hill fast!”

The truth is that this woman was spiritually covering that business, and as long as she was there…the business carried the favor of God. But when the Spirit of the Lord left (through the woman’s presence)…the only thing that remained was divisiveness. And the business is now closed—because a house divided upon itself cannot stand!

Recap…

So in summary, let’s examine the points of our discussion. First, we have to recognize that we are a covering for our children. That is an inescapable fact—even if we don’t act in that covering, we will still be held accountable for that fact. Second, we act as a covering where ever we are. Jesus was on the boat in a storm and because of His presence, even though He was asleep during the storm, the passengers were safe (if they had only known it) because of their covering. You are much greater than you ever thought you were—and the demand on you has been officially increased! Amen…now walk in it!

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