Sweet Friend,
I need a cup of coffee today with you!
I just need a moment to exhale…
Parenting is hard!
I never would have imagined the amount of physical and emotional energy it takes to raise a child. The one thing that was really surprising to me was the spiritual aspect of it all. The burden I have to lead my child to the LORD is overwhelming.
Lately, I have been visualizing my prayers. As I approach the throne room, I picture myself carrying my sweet six-year-old to Him, and laying her at the alter. I sense His compasion for her. His truths flood my mind. He whispers to me about His great love for her, how He has great things for her, and that my job is to direct her in the way that she should go. He assures me that the seeds I am sowing will not return void. (Zephaniah 3:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 22:6, Isiah 55:11, and Mark 4:1-20)
Some days I seriously get in the way of leading her to the LORD. I live in the flesh and struggle with my own mess. I cannot lead my child when I am like this! No amount of holy frustration is going to change the heart of stone into a tenderheart. It is only through God’s loving kindness that lives can be changed. (Ezekel 11:19, Romans 2:3-4)
Some days I seek kingdom perspective and rely on His strength. These are the days I feel like I get it right. Let me explain what that looks like.
A few weeks ago, we had one of the hardest homeschool days we had all year. Thank God that I was prepared for the day and was in the right frame of mind. I still got very frustrated, but I was able to keep my temper. (And yes, I am focused on my daughter in this post, but my son had his own issues this day involving potty-training which compounded my frustrations.)
It took four reboots before we could truly start our day!
By reboots I mean I literally sent my kids to bed and pretended that we were starting a new day. I would go in and “wake” them up and greet them with a smile. I expected to be greeted with pleasantries in return.
Throughout the day, when my daughter would respond to me with unkind tones and disrespect, my response was to address the behavior with a time out. But I reminded her each time by getting on her level and saying “You know I love you no matter what.”
At the end of the day while tucking her into bed, I talked to her about how it was not a very fun day because she was in a bad mood. (We need to acknowledge that our children are people too. They have off days just like me and you.) We talked about how each day is a chance to live a different way, and when she got up she could choose joy. (Don’t tell me that you don’t need to hear that sometimes too.)
This is what I prayed with her that night:
“Dear Father, We praise you that tomorrow is a new day and that your mercies are new every morning. That we can find our joy in You. Amen” (Lamentations 3:22-24 and Psalm 16:11)
Did she understand what I meant? Yes…well of course not the deeper meaning. She understood that I loved her and that tomorrow was going to be a better day. By speaking His Word over her, I am sowing seeds of forgiveness, hope, and grace.
When I have a bad day, I desperately need to be reminded that it is not always going to feel like this and that I am loved…so I try to extend the same grace to my child. We need to remember that we are leading souls, and they need to be nurtured as one.
I feel that you may need to be reminded of this too. There will be good days and bad days. I am here to encourage you! If you are a struggling in parenting, I would be honored to pray with you. Feel free to comment below, to message me on Facebook, or email me at [email protected] .
Blessing to you,
Jen
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