My treasures.
Being a parent isn’t for sissies!
No matter the stage your child is in, you need to remember that “This too shall pass.”
I’ve said this quite often in my short 19 years of being a parent. But this stage has me on my knees more than anything.
With three children between the ages of 13-19, my hands are full, yet my cup runneth over.
I had a conversation with a few folks the other day that went something like this, “How do you instill in your child that you don’t want them to be just ordinary…God calls us to be EXTRAordinary…you’ve made plenty of mistakes and you don’t want to see your child making some of those same wrong choices in their life…Yes, they will make mistakes and learn from them, but it’s painful to watch as a parent…how do you respond to your child when they say, ‘Well, you did this and that and you turned out okay’…so many blessings I’m sure I missed out on, and I desire for my children to live the abundant life in Christ…it is even more rewarding than the blest life that I have now…”
A few things I’ve learned about parenting are:
- Raise them to love the Lord (Proverbs 22:6)
- Pray for them daily: for their future spouse, wisdom, choices, walk with God, joy, compassion…( Great link here that includes bible verses to pray over your children.)
- Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- Discipline them (Proverbs 13:24)
- They will make mistakes…let them…their trials will give them more of an appreciation for God and others…they may fall on their face first, but they’ll have no place to look but up…Up to God. (Psalm 37:24)
- Love them. Laugh often. Live life!
When I read Zephaniah 3:17 this morning, I wanted more. So I read chapter 3 in its entirety and felt God’s tapping me on the shoulder, and then put His arms around me, and say, “Little Momma, it will all be okay. You’ve raised them the way I want you to. This too shall pass. Your children are precious, because they are Mine. Though they may turn at times, just like you did, they will find their way back to Me.”
I highlighted some verses that tell a story from Zephaniah 3 for you. Read them and see your life unfold. Even though these scripture verses are talking about Jerusalem, it pertains to us, His chosen people:
V 1 …you have been stained with sin.
V 4 …treated holy things as if they were not holy. (remember…when you have Christ in you, your body is a holy temple)
V 5 …But the Lord is still in that city, and he continues to be good. He does not do anything wrong. He continues to help his people. Morning after morning he makes good decisions for them. Not a day passes without his justice. He never gives a decision that is crooked or is something to be ashamed of.
V 7 …I, God, tell you this so that you will learn a lesson. I want you to fear and respect me. If you do this, your home will not be destroyed, and I will not have to punish you the way I planned.
V8 …pretty much God says here, “I am upset with you, and here’s what I can do.” (Stephanie’s translation)
V 11 … I will remove all the bad people from Jerusalem…I will take away all the proud
V 12-13 …I will let only meek and humble people stay in my city, and they will trust the Lord’s name. The survivors of Israel will not do bad things or tell lies. They will not try to trick people with lies. They will be like sheep that eat and lie down in peace—and no one will bother them.”
Vv 16-18 …At that time Jerusalem will be told, “Be strong, don’t be afraid! The Lord your God is with you. He is like a powerful soldier. He will save you. He will show how much he loves you and how happy he is with you. He will laugh and be happy about you, like people at a party. I will take away your shame. I will make them stop hurting you.
V 20 …At that time I will lead you back home. I will bring your people back together… You will see me bring back all the blessings you once had.” This is what the Lord said.
GLORY! That’s what I see through it all when we turn back to Jesus. Glory!
I pray many blessings and much joy for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“If you don’t correct your children, you don’t love them. If you love them, you will be quick to discipline them.” Proverbs 13:24
“Always be joyful.17 Never stop praying.18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord reaches out to steady them.” Psalm 37:24
