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I have said this before but it is really starting to seep down into my belief system: you and I cannot change other people. God has taught me so much about being a wife and I think my husband would say that I have laid down those "chains of control" that women often try to carry. But I must admit I have MUCH to learn about being a mom.I am still so young on this journey of motherhood. I do know that I don't want to look back with regret. I want my kids to behave. I want them to make good choices. I want them to be kind, loving, and competent. But ultimately, I just want them to love the Lord. I read in the Bible that we are to teach His ways continually--when we rise and walk and lay down. But sometimes my teaching feels more like micromanaging--like I am hanging onto control with a tattered thread. And when they choose again to hit, scream, bite, or grab I confess my battle with discouragement.Don't get me wrong, they are precious. There are those daily moments where my heart melts as my two oldest hold hands to cross the parking lot or they all giggle together in the bathtub, but when I see certain tendencies with each child--areas where I sense they will struggle as they get older--I often feel overwhelmed. That is when I return to the fact that I cannot change my kids. I can be faithful to teach but I must also be faithful to pray because only God can reach the heart and truly change one's natural bent--giving victory over weakness.I want to be more faithful in my intercession for these little ones entrusted to me for this short time we call childhood. Only He can mold their hearts.
p.s. Happy Anniversary, babe. I am so blessed to call you my husband!
If you have young children then you are probably familiar with the story of David and Goliath. You remember, David was young and Goliath was a giant. Goliath taunted the army of Israel and all of the soldiers feared him. Finally David appeared on the scene totally confused as to why the children of God feared this one man, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine (Goliath) that he should defy the armies of the living God?" Then he informed the king that he would fight this giant, remembering God's faithfulness in previous trials, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (See 1 Samuel 17)After the king reluctantly agreed an interesting thing happened. He tried to dress David in his own armor. This scene hit me afresh this morning with its imagery of our own weapons in this spiritual battle we face. The world in which we live teaches that our weapons for "victory" are knowledge, talents, rights, strength, beauty, and money. But God reveals a very different approach. As I have referred to in the past couple of posts, we are in the midst of a spiritual battle and our weapons are foreign to this world in which we spend our days. Just as David's choice of five stones instead of a sword bewildered the Israelite army, so our weapons do not outwardly impress a rebellious culture--until they see what God can do!As children of the living God we are instructed to arm ourselves with Truth, prayer, and faith. The world will think we are doomed but God is able to bring a victory. Lay down the armor of man and put on the armor of God. It is in Him where we are more than conquerors.
