Parenting...

Parenting... It’s one of the most rewarding roles we can have, but it comes with plenty of challenges, too. Whether you’re a new parent or you’ve been on this journey for years. Parenting is about more than just managing the day-to-day; it’s a calling to nurture, teach, and guide our children in faith and love. So, we are going to look to God’s Word today for guidance, wisdom, and encouragement.

This quote from Billy Graham really sums things up. He said, “Our lives speak loudly to those around us, especially the children in our home.”

Proverbs 22:6 is a foundational verse: “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” This reminds us of the lasting impact of a godly upbringing.

Parenting can be overwhelming at times. From making decisions to worrying about our kids’ futures, it’s a lot to carry. But God wants us to bring these concerns to Him. When we pray, we invite God’s peace and wisdom into our parenting.

I have 3 kids, and they are close in age… like I had 3 kids under the age of 4 close. I distinctively remember that I was struggling after we had our 3rd little one. Having 2 toddlers and a newborn was a lot and mentally I was struggling but it was in that struggle that God showed me where my thoughts where and what they should be on. I was worrying about a lot of things and not focusing on what God had given me and what my role was in that season.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” This verse is a reminder that God invites us to bring our concerns to Him in prayer.

Whatever you’re facing today as a parent, take it to God in prayer. He cares about every detail and wants to help guide you. Remember, prayer is powerful and can bring peace to both you and your family.

Children learn more from what we do than from what we say. When we model a life of faith, love, and kindness, our kids are watching. These small daily examples build a foundation of faith that can last a lifetime.

So often now and over the years of raising my now teenagers, I have seen and still sometimes see what they learned from my husband and I. Many things that they learned from me I don’t like. We discuss it because those things they do now are something I had to unlearn, and I want to stop the cycle of things and want to help them understand why they may say or do something.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

I can say this with confidence after thinking that I was supposed to know and get it all right…It’s okay if we’re not perfect. What matters is that we’re committed to living our faith authentically in front of our kids. Let your actions speak of God’s love and grace, even in the little things. Sometimes those actions are apologizing or walking them through the why or why not of things.

Sometimes, we worry about our children’s futures and feel the weight of making the ‘right’ choices for them. But ultimately, they are in God’s hands. He loves them even more than we do and has a purpose and plan for each of their lives.

Letting go of control and trusting God can bring so much peace. We do our best but remember that God is the ultimate caretaker of our kids. Trust that He is guiding their steps, just as He guides our steps. Oh man this was a huge thing for me. Control, I have had to release this many times over and over until I truly believed that God really had everything and that He is the provider of all things. The struggle was real, but God helped me release all things including my kids to Him. Now I know that they are His and He chose my husband and I to raise them.

Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

It’s like planting a seed in the soil and trusting God to make it grow. We water, nurture, and tend to it, but God handles the rest. Let that be an encouragement to keep faith alive in your parenting.

We’ve explored parenting through prayer, leading by example, and trusting God with our kids’ futures. Each of these brings us closer to God and to the purpose He has for our families.

Let’s close with this verse from Isaiah 54:13: “I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.” When we lean on God’s wisdom, He helps us guide our children in ways that bring peace.

Parenting isn’t always easy, but with God’s help, we can be the guides our children need. Pray, model faith, and trust Him with every step, knowing that He’s always working for their good.