I’ve come to a point in parenting where I am forced to realize that my children don’t belong to me. It is a hard, humbling truth. I’ve always told my children that I am a reflection of God and they are a reflection of me, so when they are out people would see that they have been trained in the way of the Lord. It is true that it is my obligation to train my child but proverbs 20:11 says that even a child is known by his doing. The truth is that my children were made in the image and likeness of God just as me. They each have their own will, their own flesh, and their own temptation to fight. I can only equip them with knowledge; I cannot make them make right choices. This has become very evident to me as my daughter just came home from school with her driver’s permit. What? How did my baby get to be grown enough to drive. I told her I can’t do it! This is definitely a job for my husband. I said I would not let her drive me around until her Daddy puts clearance on her performance. Is she really mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving? Do I have control issues or do I just lack the patience it takes to endure her mistakes while learning? Have I really given her to the Lord? Do I trust that God can take care of her? She made a decision of her own when she was nine to dedicate her life to Jesus. She asked to be baptized and fully understood what that meant. So the rest is between her and God. All I can do is teach and pray (which is very powerful in itself).
Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
I have to trust that even in my absence that they will make good decisions. I have to pray that the conviction of the Holy Spirit will guide her into all truth and God will always make a way of escape from tempting situations. Will she always make good choices? No (either do I)! The Word promises that she will not depart from what she has been trained (Proverbs 22:6).
Psalm 37:23-26 (NKJV)
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
I have to believe God’s Word because it doesn’t lie. I have to trust that even when my children make mistakes, that God will hold them up. I have to believe that because my children are righteous through the blood of Jesus that He will be merciful to them and that they will have no lack. They will be blessed!
I have to give up the control that I thought I had in my mind. The truth is that I never had any control; it has been God this entire time. I have to let my baby grow up and be everything that God has created her to be. It is time for her to make decisions on her own. I have to trust that she will use the tools that I’ve taught her to use and she will call on Jesus to help!
Father we thank You that You never forsake our children. Forgive us for thinking that they are ours and not Yours. Help us let go when it’s time for them to grow into a new level of maturity. Give us the right words to speak into their lives and prayers that will hit the target of their issues. Help us to declare over them Your promises. We trust them in Your hands and know that You have everything that they need. Bless them and let them know Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
I have to trust that even in my absence that they will make good decisions. I have to pray that the conviction of the Holy Spirit will guide her into all truth and God will always make a way of escape from tempting situations. Will she always make good choices? No (either do I)! The Word promises that she will not depart from what she has been trained (Proverbs 22:6).
Psalm 37:23-26 (NKJV)
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
I have to believe God’s Word because it doesn’t lie. I have to trust that even when my children make mistakes, that God will hold them up. I have to believe that because my children are righteous through the blood of Jesus that He will be merciful to them and that they will have no lack. They will be blessed!
I have to give up the control that I thought I had in my mind. The truth is that I never had any control; it has been God this entire time. I have to let my baby grow up and be everything that God has created her to be. It is time for her to make decisions on her own. I have to trust that she will use the tools that I’ve taught her to use and she will call on Jesus to help!
Father we thank You that You never forsake our children. Forgive us for thinking that they are ours and not Yours. Help us let go when it’s time for them to grow into a new level of maturity. Give us the right words to speak into their lives and prayers that will hit the target of their issues. Help us to declare over them Your promises. We trust them in Your hands and know that You have everything that they need. Bless them and let them know Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!