She Belongs To You

My oldest daughter just hit the milestone of turning 15 years old.  Wow, I remember it like it was yesterday, holding her tiny little body for the first time.  Her diaper was the first one that I ever changed. I had zero experience with babies.  I wasn’t afraid of delivery. I was afraid that I wouldn’t know what to do with her once she got here. She was more than I thought I could handle. She was colic and constipated. I breastfed, tried every formula, every homemade remedy, but she just cried continuously for 6 weeks.  I wasn’t saved yet, but I know God’s hand was on me.  He was taking my selfishness and turning it into selflessness.  I was 24 and unmarried when I became pregnant with her.  I believe God used her to slow me down. I was on a self-destructive path and made lots of foolish choices because I didn’t care whether I lived or died.  She changed everything.  Now I knew that everything I did from that point on would directly affect her little life.  I was determined to make better choices.  While I definitely improved in my selfish choices, the real change didn’t come until I encountered Jesus in September of 2006.  I’ve made numerous mistakes and am still learning after 4 more children (each one is different), but the joy of watching her become a young lady has been awesome, emotional, painful, exciting, bitter, sweet, and every other type of contradiction you can think of.  I love her and want the best for her. So how do I let go and watch her make her own mistakes?  How do I trust that I did a good job training her to be a respectful young lady? What if she hurts herself?  What if she’s afraid to ask me for help when she makes mistakes?  How do I know that she really loves God the way that I raised her and will live her life accordingly?  What if she makes all the wrong decisions like I did?  I don’t know what lies before her, but I do know that God knows. I know the prayers that I’ve prayed, the declarations I’ve made, the lessons I’ve taught her, and the countless bible verses she’s learned.  She’s been given tools and it’s time for her to put them in action. I know my job isn’t done yet and I don’t think it ever will be.  I know there will be disappointments.  I have to let her learn and grow from her own mistakes.  I have to trust God, know that He won’t leave her nor forsake her. I have to know that He will work all things together for her good because she loves Him and is called according to His purpose.  I have to remember all that God has showed me about her and keep praying.  She belongs to Him.  She is in good hands!

 Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Father, we thank you for your purpose that you have placed in our children. Help us give them the tools that they need to live a life according to Your word.  Give us the kind of faith that pleases You. Help us trust You with them as they grow because they really belong to You.  Show us how to pray for them. Let the Holy Spirit give us instructions to help transition them into productive adults. Help us not fear the enemy, but conquer him with Your word.  Help us to extend to our children the same grace and mercy that You have given us.  Let us remember to always correct in love and lead by example. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!