Young christian Moms listen to me - It's good to want to do "it all right" (but you won't), to desire the very best for your children (you would be abnormal if you didn't want their best),to teach your little ones about Jesus, God's Word and to train them up in the Lord. It's all part of God's plan for us as parents. We should do these things, but remember nothing is "textbook"!
Today in the church and in our society we want everything to be programmed and packaged nice, neat, tidy and clean that sometimes we get the message that if we follow the "rules" and "do it right" we will produce these godly little people or big people who will always follow Christ, always love Him and serve Him. Have we forgotten that we are dealing with little people who are born to sin, chose to sin and live (for the most part) for the flesh. Why do we expect them to behave perfect or "godly" when we are made out of the same stuff they are? Why do we become shocked when our precious little ones act well "sinful"? When they argue with their siblings, or hit their friends? It doesn't shock God, after all His children behave the same way, yes even those "righteous", "rule keeping" "good" children.
After being a Mom for 25 years - (the first three of which I was living in and for the world lost as a goose!) What I have learned after reading scores of good books on parenting, attending several bible studies and digging into His word for insight, is this...ready? GOD is Able, He is big enough to cover all the gaps we leave. To repair the damage we have done or will do. He is ABLE! YOU will NOT do it all right neither will your friends, don't look to another Mom to follow. Mentors are NOT to be our idols. One time I heard a young Mom say "I'm going to look for a Mom whose kids have turned out "godly" and hook myself up with her and follow what she did". I get that, after all Titus 2 tells the older women to teach the younger....I get that. We all need mentors but we aren't to be carbon copies of any person other than Jesus Christ. Most of my mentors have been through tapes, CD, books and I've been fortunate to be a parent long enough to walk along side some awesome mothers and friends. These mentors have pointed me to God.
So, Look to God The Father. Cling to Him and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Let your words be few but let them be full of grace. If you err - err on the side of mercy. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your child's heart, dont' control!!! When you blow it confess it to the Father and to your children they need to see vulnerability and transparency in this area. Laugh alot, laugh at your mistakes, laugh with your children NOT at them. Guard your relationship with your children. Ask God to do what ONLY HE can do. Don't stop doing what you are called to do as christian Mother. Keep on but keep trusting and turning it all over to God.
One very important and I truly believe one of the last things even "good christian parents" dont' do enough of is to Bathe them in prayer. As a friend's face book post reminded me this morning "when was the last time you were driven to your knees?" The daunting and often demanding role of parenting should drive us to our knees or like Beth Moore says, "nose to carpet", that's desperate, that's dependent!
Every one has heard about St. Augustine but few have heard about his mother. She was a prayer warrior on her sons behalf. She saw him going the wrong way, the way of the world and went to her pastor and begged him to speak to Augustine, to which he replied, "no, he is not ready to hear", the pastor told Augustine's mother to pray, to let God do what only He can do. The rest is history! Intercessory prayer will not always result in the outcome we desire. It will however keep us devoted & dependent upon God Almighty!
Lastly, be there when they fall, if they live long enough you can bet your bottom dollar they will. Trust in His plans NOT in your plans no matter how spiritual they are. God knows how to get our children's attention and He knows the plans He has for them you don't. He loves them more than you do!
Enjoy your children they grow up so quickly! They will still need you but in very different ways as they grow up and out. If you have an open and honest relationship built on trust in each other and in the Lord Jesus Christ you will become some of your grown children's trusted advisers. God bless you in this wonderful journey!
Learning at His Feet,
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