May 30
Guarding
the Path
“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. My son, do not go along with them. Do not set your feet on their paths.”
Proverbs 1:10, 15 (NIrV)
Julia noticed the changes in Landon slowly at first. He stopped joining her for family devotionals, his laughter seemed more forced, and his once-innocent conversations had started to carry an edge she couldn’t quite place.
One day, as she folded laundry, she came across a new T-shirt in Landon’s drawer. The bold graphics and questionable slogan startled her. Later that evening, she overheard him watching a YouTube video filled with crude humor and negativity. Julia’s heart sank.
She sat him down after dinner. “Landon, I noticed some things lately. Your T-shirt, the videos you’ve been watching—what’s going on?”
Landon shifted uncomfortably. “It’s nothing, Mom. Everyone at school is into this stuff. It’s just... how it is now. You wouldn’t understand.”
Julia’s heart ached. She remembered the Landon who used to pray with her every night, who got excited to learn Bible stories. But she also understood how powerful peer pressure could be, especially for a teenager.
For the next few days, she prayed fervently. “Lord, please guide Landon back to You. Show me how to speak to him in love, not frustration. Protect his heart from these influences.”
Julia felt prompted to approach Landon again, but this time, with gentleness. She asked him to take a walk with her after school. As they strolled through the park, she shared a story from her own teenage years, about how she had once tried to fit in by doing things that didn’t align with her values.
“It never felt right, Landon,” she admitted. “And the more I let it slide, the farther I felt from God—and even from myself.”
Landon was quiet for a moment. “But if I don’t go along with it, I’ll be the weird one. No one will talk to me.”
Julia stopped and looked him in the eyes. “You’re not alone in this. God is with you every step of the way. And it’s not about being perfect—it’s about making choices that bring you closer to Him, not farther away.”
That night, Julia left her Bible open to Proverbs 1:10, 15 on the dining table. The next morning, she noticed Landon standing there, reading it. He turned to her, a little sheepish. “I guess I need to think about some of the stuff I’ve been into.”
Julia smiled. “One step at a time, Landon. We’ll figure this out together.”
Over the weeks, Landon slowly began to distance himself from the negative influences. He still struggled sometimes—ignoring an inappropriate joke or passing on a trending video—but he started to lean on prayer and Scripture more. And Julia continued to pray, knowing God was working in her son’s heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our guide and protector, especially in moments when we’re tempted to follow the wrong crowd.
I pray for every parent and child navigating the pressures of this world.
Give us wisdom to discern what is right and courage to stand firm in Your truth.
Lord, just as You worked in Landon’s heart, I ask that You guide our children away from harmful influences and toward Your light.
Help us as parents to speak with love, patience, and understanding, and to trust You with the hearts of our children.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
