Raising World Changers
When we closed Inspire, I became a stay-at-home mom. This caught me totally off guard! I did not know how to spend twelve hours, every day, with two one year old's, and not loose my mind. Just being real here. I think it is safe to say we all love and adore our children, but come on... Twelve hours of crying, diaper changing, tantrums, sibling bickering, did I mention tantrums?... can make the world's leading baby whisper go a little nutty.
So there I am, going a little nutty and mourning the loss of my beloved job, what's a girl to do?
PRAY. "Lord, I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be, doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing. Help me find fulfillment and purpose in motherhood."
God is so loving, gracious, and patient. Over the past several months, He has been answering my prayer request. I would love to share with you what He has been showing me...
• The first is pretty simple, but sometimes (ie. in the middle of a tantrum) it can be hard to see. Children are a gift. God has given me eyes to really see my children lately. Many moments have left me in awe (and often times in tears) because I see HIS GOODNESS. The more I seek Him, the more I focus on my children and less on distractions, the more I see them as perfect gifts.
Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:7
• Many monotonous tasks are included in a parent's job description: changing diapers, laundry, dishes, wiping runny noses, etc. As well as some more appealing needs: cuddling, reading, singing, dancing, playing, etc. This is what God has told me: They all matter.
EVERY thing that we do for and with our children matters.
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
• This one chokes me up. Let me rephrase, this one makes me burst out in joyful, humble tears.
Our assignment, as parents, is to raise future world changers! You guys, we have the opportunity to help mold future world changers! We can show our children what following the Lord looks like, we can teach them to love others well, we can help them hear that still quiet voice inside of them, we can encourage them to pursue the dreams God has placed in their heart, and we can pray, pray, pray for them! What an honor and privilege! Okay, I'm crying again.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
"Prayer is your highest privilege as a parent. There is nothing you can do that will have a higher return on investment. In fact, the dividends are eternal. Prayer turn ordinary parents into prophets who shape the destinies of their children, grandchildren, and every generation that follows."
Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Children.
(This small book is $2.99 on amazon. This is the best $3 you will ever spend, I promise. BUY HERE.)
• And last but not least is this: Our children have been entrusted to us for a short amount of time. When that time is up, we must confidently send them out into the world. Yes the world is scary and full of evil, but our God is bigger and Jesus has already won the battle. So we do not need to fear for our children, we can simply place them into God's loving hands, realizing that is where they have been all along.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:24
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
So the next time you find yourself discouraged in parenthood, remember these truths:
• Children are a gift.
• EVERY thing that you do for and with them matters.
• You are raising world changers.
• Prayer is your highest privilege as a parent.
• Confidently send them out into the world.
And one more sweet truth... your prayers and obedience to God will bless not only your children, but will bless generations to come. Wow. Mic drop.
And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed--all because you have obeyed me. Genesis 22:18
So there I am, going a little nutty and mourning the loss of my beloved job, what's a girl to do?
PRAY. "Lord, I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be, doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing. Help me find fulfillment and purpose in motherhood."
God is so loving, gracious, and patient. Over the past several months, He has been answering my prayer request. I would love to share with you what He has been showing me...
• The first is pretty simple, but sometimes (ie. in the middle of a tantrum) it can be hard to see. Children are a gift. God has given me eyes to really see my children lately. Many moments have left me in awe (and often times in tears) because I see HIS GOODNESS. The more I seek Him, the more I focus on my children and less on distractions, the more I see them as perfect gifts.
Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:7
• Many monotonous tasks are included in a parent's job description: changing diapers, laundry, dishes, wiping runny noses, etc. As well as some more appealing needs: cuddling, reading, singing, dancing, playing, etc. This is what God has told me: They all matter.
EVERY thing that we do for and with our children matters.
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
• This one chokes me up. Let me rephrase, this one makes me burst out in joyful, humble tears.
Our assignment, as parents, is to raise future world changers! You guys, we have the opportunity to help mold future world changers! We can show our children what following the Lord looks like, we can teach them to love others well, we can help them hear that still quiet voice inside of them, we can encourage them to pursue the dreams God has placed in their heart, and we can pray, pray, pray for them! What an honor and privilege! Okay, I'm crying again.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
"Prayer is your highest privilege as a parent. There is nothing you can do that will have a higher return on investment. In fact, the dividends are eternal. Prayer turn ordinary parents into prophets who shape the destinies of their children, grandchildren, and every generation that follows."
Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Children.
(This small book is $2.99 on amazon. This is the best $3 you will ever spend, I promise. BUY HERE.)
• And last but not least is this: Our children have been entrusted to us for a short amount of time. When that time is up, we must confidently send them out into the world. Yes the world is scary and full of evil, but our God is bigger and Jesus has already won the battle. So we do not need to fear for our children, we can simply place them into God's loving hands, realizing that is where they have been all along.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:24
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
So the next time you find yourself discouraged in parenthood, remember these truths:
• Children are a gift.
• EVERY thing that you do for and with them matters.
• You are raising world changers.
• Prayer is your highest privilege as a parent.
• Confidently send them out into the world.
And one more sweet truth... your prayers and obedience to God will bless not only your children, but will bless generations to come. Wow. Mic drop.
And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed--all because you have obeyed me. Genesis 22:18
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