Raising kids isn’t easy! Amen to that, right?
If I say pick up your clothes from the floor one
more time, I may scream! If I remind
them to shut the door behind them one more time, I may shut it for them and
lock them out! After all, we are not heating/cooling
the outside, right? If I turn off one
more light, I am sending them out to get a job so they can pay the electric
bill!
Or, maybe it is the phase of. . .
If I tame one more temper tantrum, I may throw one
myself. If I need to remind them toys
are not food one more time, I am eliminating all toys from their presence. If I mop the bathroom one more time due to
excessive splashing during bath time, they are going to get hosed off every
night instead.
Whatever the age of our children, their brilliant
little minds cannot retain rules put forth by parents. Maybe they tune us out or they fail to believe
the seriousness in our voice. It seems
they can make straight A’s in school but cannot remember to brush their teeth
at night, wear clean underwear, clean up after themselves or avoid dangerous
objects (such as hot stoves or busy streets).
Parents constantly discipline, teach and exhaust every rule known to
man.
To extend grace to our little blessings; growing up
isn’t easy either! The pressures in this
world is outrageous. Survival day to day
can be difficult. By the time parents
get to them, the world may have beat them down or an impending decision may consume
their thoughts, preventing absorption of any other information. A dirty room may be their way of rebelling
from demands of perfection. Leaving
doors open may be a result of a jam-packed schedule, keeping them in ‘hurry up
mode’. They may leave lights on for fear
of darkness. Parents have no clue what
kids experience and kids have no clue what parents experience.
I would like to combine the two phrases above. .
.Living within a broken world isn’t easy!
33 “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.” John 16:33
God understands.
God knows. God sees. God loves.
God restores. God provides.
Like a child constantly being reminded of basic
rules as mentioned above; God reminds me daily of the simple fact that He will
never leave me nor forsake me. Like a
child being tamed in a tantrum; God provides the deep breath required to calm
down during an emotional storm. As a
parent warns a child of harmful actions in this world; God speaks loudly when
harm enters my pathway. He steps ahead,
fighting off whatever may be the source of harm.
My dear friends, God understands the pains,
struggles and worries in this world. He
sent His Only Son to experience this world.
God knows the solution to every situation. God sees the bigger picture and holds the
ultimate prize at the end. God loves you
from the moment of creation. God
restores any past. . .ANY PAST! He
provides the straight path filled with peace.
He does this for everyone! He
will repeat this until it sinks deep within our soul!
One example:
just the other day, while writing a chapter in my book, a flood of
emotions arose due to the portion of my past I depicted. I went straight to the Cross with all this
junk! God listened and began speaking
louder than the lies of the past. First in
a sermon I watched before heading out the door.
Then, later in a Podcast. And
still even again with His constant Romans 8:28 reminder He provides to me. He knew it would take quite a few times/ways
for me to hear the peaceful Words He had to offer in this situation.
I am still processing through the emotions; but, now
with my faith as a shield protecting from the devil’s schemes and the Truth to disintegrate
the devil’s lies. The devil wants
nothing more than to tear us down. He uses
our past mistakes, present hurts and future thoughts to place distance between
us and the Cross. Stand firm on His Truth
today and leave the devil in the dust.
It is okay if you need reminded, like 100 times a
day, of His presence. He will remind you
1000 times over if needed. He cares for
you. He will protect you. He will see you through this life.
Live life. . .One Day at a
time!
Sheree Craig
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