Parent-hood....
SHINE Reading Plan: Go here.
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
I think motherhood is the absolute hardest job on the planet.
As much as I love it, it is the most difficult daily task that has ever been given to me.
Hands down, the hardest part for me is walking the walk.
I can talk the talk all the live long day. I can give long winded stories, and teachings, and bible examples of how we are supposed to live....
But, the real impact happens when my children see me doing what I say.
Showing kindness.
Having patience.
Turning the other cheek.
Being faithful with finances.
Obeying authority.
Submitting to my husband.
Speaking kindly to my husband/their father.
Finding time to get in the Bible.
Prayer time.
Keeping my word.
Being a loyal friend.
Serving others.
All of these things....I want my children to do and to become.
But, am I doing these things?
Are they seeing me live a life parallel to what I teach them?
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity...Titus 2:7
Momma's, if we don't live it out for them, our words are fruitless.
We don't have to perfect, because we will never be.
But, are we trying, like, really trying to live what we preach?
I have had to have eye to eye talks with my kids when I mess up.
I have cried to them and told them I was wrong, oh so wrong, when I have messed up.
When they see repentance in us, they will desire repentance when they mess up.
We let them know that although we really want to do the right thing in God's eyes, there will be times when we screw it up.
But, what do we do after our mess up?
Do we just shrug our shoulders and move on?
Or, do we fall face down in repentance before the Lord.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. Psalm 51:17
Pride can be our biggest downfall in parenting.
We don't want to admit we are wrong. Or that our kids are wrong.
We turn up our noses and pretend like we don't see what is really happening.
When we don't acknowledge sin, either in our hearts, or the hearts of our kids, we make a grave error.
We must pray for eyes to see. For hearts to discern. For strength to discipline our children when it is easier to just let it go.
We must use this time wisely. This time with our children under our roofs is fleeting.
There will always be distractions to pull us away from parenting our kids. We must pray for wisdom and alertness.
When it is easier to just scroll our phones or leave the child at home because we need to get away....
We must remember that this time is sacred. These moments are treasures...for such a time as this.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15
Surround yourself with other mothers who desire this same thing. Iron really does sharpen iron.[proverbs 27:17]
Hold each other accountable, support and encourage each other. We need it, all of us do!
Find a group of girlfriends who will pray with you over your family. A group of friends that you can be honest with about your kids, and who will sincerely pray with you for them.
These friends are PRICELESS.
I have a handful of friends that will pray for my family, my husband, and my children. They will encourage me, and they offer wisdom when the path is murky and unclear.
These women are gifts from the Lord. They know all the good, bad, and ugly, and they pray.
Motherhood can be a lonely path. Find good, solid, trustworthy, friends to walk it with you. Pray for God to send them to you. He will!
Keep persevering, friend. There is so much fruit to behold. Keep planting those seeds. Keep praying. Keep immersing yourself in scripture. God will do the rest.
marching on,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
I think motherhood is the absolute hardest job on the planet.
As much as I love it, it is the most difficult daily task that has ever been given to me.
Hands down, the hardest part for me is walking the walk.
I can talk the talk all the live long day. I can give long winded stories, and teachings, and bible examples of how we are supposed to live....
But, the real impact happens when my children see me doing what I say.
Showing kindness.
Having patience.
Turning the other cheek.
Being faithful with finances.
Obeying authority.
Submitting to my husband.
Speaking kindly to my husband/their father.
Finding time to get in the Bible.
Prayer time.
Keeping my word.
Being a loyal friend.
Serving others.
All of these things....I want my children to do and to become.
But, am I doing these things?
Are they seeing me live a life parallel to what I teach them?
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity...Titus 2:7
Momma's, if we don't live it out for them, our words are fruitless.
We don't have to perfect, because we will never be.
But, are we trying, like, really trying to live what we preach?
I have had to have eye to eye talks with my kids when I mess up.
I have cried to them and told them I was wrong, oh so wrong, when I have messed up.
When they see repentance in us, they will desire repentance when they mess up.
We let them know that although we really want to do the right thing in God's eyes, there will be times when we screw it up.
But, what do we do after our mess up?
Do we just shrug our shoulders and move on?
Or, do we fall face down in repentance before the Lord.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. Psalm 51:17
Pride can be our biggest downfall in parenting.
We don't want to admit we are wrong. Or that our kids are wrong.
We turn up our noses and pretend like we don't see what is really happening.
When we don't acknowledge sin, either in our hearts, or the hearts of our kids, we make a grave error.
Hardening of our hearts start to happen, and hardening of our children's hearts.
We get numb and immune to sin.
The cool thing to do as a parent these days is to look the other way.
To not acknowledge when our child is walking in sin, or down a wrong path.
We don't want to be "that parent".
We don't want to embarrass our children.
We don't want them to be shunned.
For heaven's sake, what have we become?
Are we not parents anymore?
Are we not the ones who are supposed to teach, guide, lead, rebuke, and discipline our children?
When did we become so okay with letting our children stray?
Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them. Physical discipline may well save them from death. Proverbs 23:13-14
We must pray for eyes to see. For hearts to discern. For strength to discipline our children when it is easier to just let it go.
We must use this time wisely. This time with our children under our roofs is fleeting.
There will always be distractions to pull us away from parenting our kids. We must pray for wisdom and alertness.
When it is easier to just scroll our phones or leave the child at home because we need to get away....
We must remember that this time is sacred. These moments are treasures...for such a time as this.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15
Surround yourself with other mothers who desire this same thing. Iron really does sharpen iron.[proverbs 27:17]
Hold each other accountable, support and encourage each other. We need it, all of us do!
Find a group of girlfriends who will pray with you over your family. A group of friends that you can be honest with about your kids, and who will sincerely pray with you for them.
These friends are PRICELESS.
I have a handful of friends that will pray for my family, my husband, and my children. They will encourage me, and they offer wisdom when the path is murky and unclear.
These women are gifts from the Lord. They know all the good, bad, and ugly, and they pray.
Motherhood can be a lonely path. Find good, solid, trustworthy, friends to walk it with you. Pray for God to send them to you. He will!
Keep persevering, friend. There is so much fruit to behold. Keep planting those seeds. Keep praying. Keep immersing yourself in scripture. God will do the rest.
marching on,
jill
