I AM PROUD OF YOU
Has anyone told you how proud they are of you for how you have walked through this intense season while caring for little ones? You are doing it one step at a time, and I am so proud of you! Be kind to your heart.
I AM PROUD OF YOU
I AM PROUD OF YOU
- Encouragement
MENTAL ADJUSTMENT
I am being stretched in the area of patience, and for someone who is normally wired for fast-paced, productive movement, it hit me hard. I could feel myself sinking by the hour; it isn’t healthy to be in that place very long. I got the kids through dinner and took off by myself. I just stood soaking in the view and breathing in the air. I realized my MIND needed an adjustment similar to my back needing a chiropractor. I was aware I was out of alignment but could not pop it back in myself. I needed the GREAT PHYSICIAN to help align me. I confessed my attitude and weariness and cried out for help. I was tired, sad, and frustrated and needed the strength to endure more but from a place of rising above, not sinking lower. I needed Psalms 40:1-3 to be my reality: “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
Sometimes God aligns us through revelation, correction, or inner healing, yet sometimes He does it in a way that is so gentle and light we can’t even pinpoint how or when He changed us. Like a Father who gently guides a child’s chin to look into His eyes, all becomes well again. God does not want us to endure hard things; He wants us to find HIM in the midst of it.
EXTRA TOUCHES
Testimony from a mom taking our online parenting class: “I often feel that I struggle so much with my son’s behavior, and I’m starting to truly believe that it’s mainly because his love tank isn’t getting filled. I’ve been wondering this for a little while, to be honest, and I always kind of thought it to be random thoughts, but after reading this lesson, I think it was more of the Lord speaking to me. I care for him, give him gifts, speak loving things over him and give him lots of hugs and touches… I know that I struggle to spend quality time with him; he’s young and just wants to play with me. I love the idea of having a morning date with him after breakfast. Really encouraging stuff.”
MODEL HIS LOVE
My friend said it beautifully: “God showed me that the purpose of my parenting is not to turn my children into models (in whichever field), but for me to model His love to them. After that, the rest will fall into place automatically.”
VICTIM TO EMPOWERED
One of the best statements spoken over me was from a business mentor who heard me lamenting about how hard the process was, and she said, “Well, that doesn’t sound like a very empowering statement. You can do better than that.” It woke something up in me to create solutions, not complaints. Feel the pain and then put my energy towards solutions. This has been something I have tried to empower my children in too. First, validating their frustration and then helping them to move from victim to empowered in choices to care for their needs, heart, and situation.
YOU MATTER MAMA
No child profits from a parent who is worn out, exhausted, and has reached their capacity to give.
YOU SHOULD BE TOO!
Be kind to the first child God gave you – yourself. You will be accountable for how you treat, accept, reject, love, scold, champion, deny, uphold, tear down, believe in, deny or embrace that child. God is fiercely protective and crazy in love with that child; you should be too!
HIS YOKE IS LIGHT
God’s yoke is light. That includes parenting. If that is not how you would describe your parenting, perhaps something needs to come in alignment to get under His yoke.
HE IS HERE
God is not standing over you, watching you parent, or keeping track of your every wrong move. He is geared up, ready to jump in the moment you invite Him. So, give it a try today. Having a hard mommy moment? Frustrated over a child’s behavior? Hit with big news? Invite Him in and watch and see how He encounters you IN the moment.
GET BACK IN THE GAME!
Give your heart a voice, process it, and get back in the game! Do not let getting hurt in the church rob your destiny.
GET UP AND FIGHT – SURRENDER
Something that always brings a shift for me is when I hold my hand palms up and say, “Lord, I let go. You can have this one. I will not carry it, hold onto it or worry about it. This one is on You.” It removes the tension I feel from operating outside of my control.