I hurt!

"I hurt! I hurt! I hurt!" My two year olds screams echo through the house as she begs for a bandaid to cover...a scar. She is doing this to put off nap time but it made me take a look at myself. See this is an old scar, from a self inflated wound, it's a small scar, but to her its huge especially when a challenge arrives. 

How many times have we screamed to God that we're hurting over a situation He has already healed? How many times do we use the excuse of past pain as a reason to disobey what God is telling us to do. We yell, "I hurt! I hurt!" While God is prompting us to walk in our healing and obey. Scars serve a evidence of a past offense but they also serve as a reminder of God's grace and our overcoming a hurt. That place where the scar is, is stronger and it's mark serves as a badge of triumph. So stop screaming it hurts, suck it up, and obey. 

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 

Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Shine through

This week my husband spoke at his first leaders conference. Despite being nervous he did an excellent job. Later we talked about steps he could take to be more comfortable on stage when he expressed this very humble concern. He wants to be comfortable enough to effective but he doesn't want to be so comfortable that he presents himself more than he shares what God is using him to say. 

As I prayed and thought about this conversation I realized, not presenting yourself in any situation is very hard to do. Especially with parenting. Our children know more about us than anyone else, save our spouses. They know what makes us happy or sad. They know if we have a temper or if we use harsh language. Our kids see us at our most comfortable, in our most vulnerable state. They should see through us, the love of Christ.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 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. 

Our love for God should invade our lives so much that it seeps into our conversations with our children, that it's evident in our dealings with them and around them. They should know our love for God and more importantly Gods love for them. 

Father, 

We love you. Thank you for being the wonderful parent you are and for showing us how to be parents through your word. Shine through us and touch the hearts of our children, use us to show them your unfailing love. We love you, we thank you, and we can't do this without you. Amen.

Parenting and Submission

Parenting requires a daily dose of submission. We submit to the needs of our child and the plans God has in store for their future. This may cause us to act outside of worldly and even religious standards. However, by submitting to God’s plan for our child(ren)’s life we are setting our child up to reign in the area God has placed them. 

When we conform to what other think is best for our child(ren) we hinder the work God is trying to do in and through both our child and ourselves. God gives us a promise to help us stick to His plan, however the promise isn't always what it seems. In Luke 1:3 The angel of the Lord told Mary her son would be great. He would be called the son of the Most High, He would be given David’s throne, and He would reign over the house of Jacob forever. His Kingdom would have no end. 

The angel did not tell her, her world would be ripped apart as her son bled and died for all humanity. He did not tell her of the sleepless nights she would have as Jesus traveled, knowing her son was being hunted. All she knew is that she would give birth to a king. God may have given you a promise concerning your child(ren) and He expects you to raise your child(ren) according to that promise. However, we as parents need to be open to the reality that God sees and knows far beyond what we see and know.

Purpose Parent

In 2012 God gave me a vision for the book Purpose Parent. I questioned my abilities to write such a book after all I was a new mom who had only been married a couple years. I have since learned, God calls the ill equipped so they may be empowered through the Holy Spirit to bring Him glory. The revelations I receive are by His grace as He helps me raise the beautiful children He has put in my care. Purpose Parent is here to inspire and encourage you through the word of God on your parenting journey.