If only as a parent our children could gain access to the strings of our hearts or better yet our minds and see the desires we have for them. If they only knew that even though it may seem we were created as adults and never had a childhood, never experienced peer pressure, never made a bad choice, and never wanted to not take heed to the valuable advice that comes along with the age of wisdom offered by our own parents.
It feels like no matter how much we say “been there done that, got the t-shirt” our children still don’t grasp what we are trying to keep them from. They don’t understand how peer pressure can lead to unprepared pregnancy or possible drug addiction. They don’t understand how a bad choice can lead to incarceration, and they certainly don’t want to even acknowledge how the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your creator in the days of your youth serve me in your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them.” (NKJV) because it’s not cool it’s not popular to serve the Lord when your young people always think that’s for old people.
As mothers, we often take ownership of a sense of entitlement borderline possession when it comes to our children. Our children are a blessing, a gift from God but they do not belong to us, they are loaned to us for us to raise, to guide, to teach, to encourage, to nurture and to let go and be the God-fearing adults we have trained them to be. This is why the bible is so clear when it tells us in the book of Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.”(NIV).
" Our children are a blessing, a gift from God but they do not belong to us, they are loaned to us for us to raise, to guide, to teach, to encourage, to nurture and to let go and be the God-fearing adults we have trained them to be."
Now this message is two-fold because I am aware that not every parent has reared their children with full knowledge of the fear of the Lord because some of us are just now learning that ourselves. Hold that thought I’ll get back to that message. For those parents who have done as it so clearly states in Proverbs take a deep breath and then if your child is over the age of 18 let go! That’s right let go, and let God step into his role of authority in your child’s life. Pray a sincere Prayer and politely relinquish control and give that child back to God knowing, believing, and trusting that God will work it out for their good. In the book of Jeremiah verse 29:11 the word of God says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(NIV) See this is just a reminder that just as God has plans for us, he also has plans for our children. He wants the absolute best for everyone, so instead of going backward and forwards with arguments and reasoning that goes in one ear and out the other. Talk to the man with the master plan our Lord and Savior and let him work it out for you and your child. The key is to trust and believe that God can and he will!
Now for the parent who has just come into their relationship with Christ and you missed the all-important opportunity to share the love of Christ with your child as they were growing up, and guilt is weighing heavy on your heart. First give that guilt back to the enemy he has no more holds over you, forgive yourself. Once you have sincerely accomplished those two steps live a righteous life, Seriously No Wavering! Because if you are setting an example of the newness and goodness of God in your life, then your life will speak a powerful testimony all on its own and those around you, children included, will begin to respect the God in you and want to give it a try. This is exactly why the Bible in Matthew 6:33 says: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and All these things will be given to you as well” (NIV emphasis added). You see when you are seeking God’s kingdom first you are building a relationship of trust, you are establishing a vulnerability between you and God. You are saying this is what I want, but I will trust you Lord First to supply my heart and soul with the healing it needs, and a pure devotion to you so my life can be a living testimony and not only my children but others will see the light of Christ in me, and choose to follow you.
Key Thought: Give your children over to the Lord, he is the man with a Master plan.
Prayer: “Oh Lord, my Sovereign God I come to you today thankful for the gift of being a parent and sincerely want you to take full control of our life. I will trust you, and have faith in you as never before that you can and you will make me and mold me Lord in to a woman of God that is most pleasing unto you, and that you oh Lord will continually Bless, and keep my child(ren) for just as your word says you know the plans you have for all of us, so please Lord place us on the pathway that leads to the plans you have established that are meant to prosper us, and not harm us, and to give us hope and a future Lord and we will be assured to give you all the Glory, and all the Praise, In Jesus Name, Amen."
