Don't get lazy....
Recently, I was walking some of my 10,000 steps a day with a friend. She asked me for some parenting advice.
When anyone asks me advice on any given situation, I pray immediately that God would give me His Wisdom and His Words.
Often, our own thoughts and ideas can cloud our wisdom. We must be careful when offering any advice that we pray and ask God for guidance first and foremost. Well meaning words can end up doing more harm than good if we don't seek wisdom before we speak. [Trust me, I know this from experience!]
As we talked through her parenting situation, she shared with me some books she had been reading on parenting. My heart was moved.
My friend was seeking wisdom everywhere she could. She was desperate to be the best mother she could be to her kids. She didn't want to just act on instinct and feelings, she wanted to be intentional and purposeful as she mothered.
I was so moved by her humility and effort that I texted her later and told her what an encouragement she had been to me. Also, I told her what an amazing mother I thought she was! She was truly seeking wisdom and insight to help her in her motherhood.
"Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe." Proverbs 28:26
We can sometimes get lazy. We don't feel like seeking help, or reaching out, or praying. We just want the situation [whatever it is] to dissolve on its own.
However, we are foolish when we do this. We are foolish when we become lazy with parenting.
Our children need us to be sharp. They need us to seek wisdom from God and from other wise friends.
This world [the enemy!] will eat them alive if we are not daily seeking wisdom to guide them and direct them on their paths.
My husband and I are watching the spin off series from The Karate Kid movie, Cobra Kai. I am in no way endorsing this show, by the way. It has some bad language that could totally be left out. [insert an eye roll here]
However, one thing that stands out to me is the impact that Daniel's teacher, Mr. Miyagi had on his life.
Mr. Miyagi was wise. He was a teacher to Daniel. He spent time with Daniel teaching him lessons about life.
Daniel's life was impacted greatly because of Mr. Miyagi. He changed the course of Daniel's life because of his steadfast devotion, teaching and wisdom he gave to Daniel.
We have this same opportunity with our children!
However, we must consistently sharpen ourselves by prayer, reading God's Word, walking with other believers, seeking wisdom from well-worn Christian books at times....
Laziness will tempt us. Distractions will turn our heart and eyes away from this call.
We must be diligent.
We must prepare.
We must sharpen.
We must engage.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:11-12
What we inhale each day, will be what we exhale back out onto our families.
Let's inhale God's Word. Let's inhale wisdom. Let's inhale prayer.
Our kids desperately need us to exhale Truth back into their little hearts.
"When she speaks her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness." Proverbs 31:26-27
Motherhood never expires. I have a kid in college, and one still at home. No matter the age of our kids, 1 to 100, they still need our wisdom and teaching.
Let's do not for a second think that our children are wise enough without us. They will always need a word of Truth, encouragement, wisdom, teaching from us. Motherhood does not end when the kids leave the nest. In many ways, it begins again.
staying sharpened,
jill
