And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” Judges 13:12
What parent has not asked that question a hundred times? Whispered it as they stroked a peach fuzz head sleeping soundly in a crib, while waving good-bye when they step on the school bus, while clapping when they receive a high school diploma, or while watching them stroll into their dorm from your rear view mirror as you drive away. Perhaps it is a the prayer of your heart when the police knock on your door at 2 am, or they come and tell you they are getting a divorce , or have lost yet another job.
Manoah was Samson’s dad. The angel of the Lord, to whom he addressed this question, had told his wife she was to dedicate the child to the 
priesthood from birth. He told her Samson would “begin to save Israel from the Philistines”. So why, after she told her husband, did he ask for confirmation? Lack of faith?
I hope not, because I too have often gone to God with that same question. If you are a parent, bet you have as well. We know our children are blessed gifts from God. We want to do the right thing, raise them up to walk a Godly path. But it is a path that eventually they must choose to walk on a daily basis, just like us. What is your child’s mission? The same as yours –
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
