The power of being a parent

 

7 years ago yesterday my son was born.

 

Little did I know that he would change my life.

 

He has brought so much joy, happiness, and laughter to this family.

 

He loves deeply, cares for others, and protects his little sisters.

 

He has a mix of mine and my husbands humor.

 

Total HAM.

 

 

 

I had him at the age of 19.

 

Maternal instincts kicked in and I was in love with being a mom.

 

Being a YOUNG mom just means that I get to spend that many more years with him.

 

He is an amazing big brother.

 

He kisses my hand and cheek and tells me he loves me.

 

He tells me I'm a beautiful mommy..

 

He loves God, loves to pray and seek Him.

 

What more could a mother ask for?

 

I pray everyday that He would always walk in God's path.

 

That I would be able to raise Him up to be a Godly man and treat his wife well.

 

Even though I daily make mistakes and can sometimes feel like I'm failing as a parent, He can look at me and think I am super mom.

 

I have to remind myself all the time that I AM shaping the person he is to become.

 

I am shaping his behaviors, his likes and dislikes, and his HABITS.

 

It really is scary and overwhelming when you think about, as parents, that  as children we are molding who they will be as adults.

 

Cleanliness...hygiene...how they eat.

 

How often they pray.

 

Every detail of who they are.

 

Their morals and values.

 

So today I encourage you to think deeply about how you are guarding their hearts.

 

How often to they hear you pray?

 

What do you allow them to see?

 

What are they exposed to?

 

Guard their little hearts and eyes.

 

Keep them as innocent as you can for as long as you can for one day I will look back and think where did time go?

 

He'll have a family of his own and he will be teaching his children the things that I taught him.

 

His future starts with YOU.

 

Powerful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fight for your time with Him

This past week was a total nightmare for me. For those that know me personally, know I don't usually complain about much. I guess you could say, I sort of complained a lot last week. I was on the verge of {let's be honest} cutting someone. I was all sorts of frustrated and hostile. Anyone and EVERYONE and EVERYTHING was on my nerves. Anything sent me over the edge, screaming kids, fighting kids, demanding husbands, house chores. I was a wretch to be around.

This weekend we had the opportunity to get out of town. A last minute trip. I don't know how all the plans worked out as smoothly as they did (especially after my week) but we were able to enjoy a two day get-a-way to Pismo Beach, Ca. I can only believe it was a God thing. He made all those prior plans and commitments just fall off our schedule. I spent the majority of my days sitting in the sand...breathing. I needed that weekend and God knew it!

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A few months back I purchased this book to start with my kids. During our coastal vacation we were a little behind on devotions. When we returned July 1st really spoke to me.

"Fight for your time with me"

God, we come into your Temple. There we think about your love. Psalm 48:9

 

Drat! I had did it again. Allowed myself to get sucked into worrying about everyone else.

Taking care of everyone else's needs.

 

"Soak in MY presence as you would soak in a warm bathtub. Let My Love surround you and seep into your soul-giving you new energy. And let all your worries swirl away."

 

Soak in a bath tub, ain't nobody got time for that. The kids are screaming and fighting.

 

"You need to spend time alone with me-so I can get the tangles our of your thoughts and smooth out the day for you."

 

Spend time alone...the kids are killing each other. If I blink one will try to kill the other.

 

"Sometimes you will have to fight your own wish to stay in bed...You'll have to say "not right now" to friends"

 

My face right now is indescribable.

 

Fight for your time with me.

 

That is what I hadn't been doing the whole week. I honestly don't think I really got into the word...at all. Other then bible study. Nothing on my own time and leisure reading. I hadn't been taking the time to pray each morning, like I should. I wish I could say the "Super Moon" and heat made me irritable. But the fact is, it was my own doing. I allowed myself to let people and everyday life get to me. I became weak. I was not a fighter.

 

My point of today's post. I am NOT perfect. But I do recognize when things go wrong, I realize I can not correct the people who irritate me but I can correct my reactions. It all starts with a bended knee.

I am always amazed at how God speaks to your heart. Today it was through my children's devotional. 

 

Fight for your time with him and know that he will give you the victory.

Victory of the mind, heart and soul.

 

 

Deuteronomy 33:12 New International Version (NIV)

¹² About Benjamin he said:

 

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”

 

 

 

 

Setting a Godly Example for Children

Since becoming a mother for the third time it really has changed my perspective on how I parent.

A few days ago it really hit me. I am COMPLETELY responsible for the type of adults my children will become. I am helping form their daily habits, good and bad. I set the standards and examples for what is ok and what is not ok for them.

So, what are my actions teaching them? We all know actions are louder than words.

I want my children to burn for God. Pray even when times aren't going so good and not just when things are going great.

I want them to know that God is ALWAYS there for them and will always provide. Just like when we go to sit on a chair, we never doubt that the chair isn't going break.We are taught that the chair will always hold us. We never question it. I want that to be the way that my kids think of God. That they will NEVER doubt Him. That He will always hold us up even when we want to sit down and quit.

When I think about my actions, it makes me think of how much am I really praying with them and in front of them? What am I speaking to them? What am I speaking over them and how much do I pray for them?

Our words can be so powerful. Speak positively to them and correct them in a loving way. Lift them up, give them compliments and build their self esteem.

Let's look at some scripture about training our children in God's word and ways.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

 

Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

 

Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

 

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

I encourage you to really take a look at the examples you are setting for your kids. I know there a quite a few changes I want to make. I will be trying harder to pray with them more. It is so easy to become busy with life and mommy duties. By the time we get home, make dinner and get the kids ready for bed we can be exhausted! Let us be reminded that it is SO worth it to take a few extra minutes out of your day, sit down with them and pray with them.

Remember we are the ones setting Godly examples for them and God has chosen us as their parents to do so.