I cradled a perfect eight pound baby in my arms as my husband wheeled me through the exit. Buckling her car seat into place, we stared at each other with all the collective wisdom of two twenty-three year-olds. Somehow we had to keep her alive!
Eighteen years later, we stood in an airport ready to board a return flight. The knowledge that we were leaving our daughter in a college dorm room, nearly crushed us. We held onto each other as tears flowed freely. How did we get here already? And, how did she not only survive our lack of knowledge, but manage to thrive?
- We asked God for parenting advice. All. The. Time. Just like Manoah asked God in Judges 13:8, we asked for assistance the moment we knew of her existence. Each of us is free to ask God for help as James 1:5 reminds us.
- We embraced our God-given task: to teach her about God, to lay a foundation of faith. Proverbs 22:6 and 23:13-14 instruct parents what to teach. Proverbs 22:6 and Isaiah 54:13 show us our end goal: that our children will in turn seek instructions from the Lord. What a joy to read our children’s promised reward of peace when they seek the Lord’s directions.
- We tried to lovingly discipline her, and tried hard not to provoke her. While we aren’t perfect, we did attempt to pay attention to phrasing and tone. she knew our ‘no’ meant ‘no’ and not to expect the other parent to change the answer. She also learned self-control. She knew throwing a tantrum would never obtain her desires.
- She saw us pray: for her, with her, and over her life.
Standing at the gate, ready to board that plane, we prayed for her once more. She was now a young woman with hopes and dreams, and more importantly, a faith of her own. Oh, pieces of our hearts were ripped out that day. But we knew God held her. He loves her even more than we do. And she knew Him, sought Him, and served Him.
God promises in Philippians 4:19 to supply all our needs. This included the needs we identify for our children. Maybe like me, you need to recall that today. And this: that our children are known and loved by Him. He knows the plans He has for them. He is already working for them. We need to prayerfully teach, discipline, and lay a foundation of faith. Then we need to let God hold them in the palm of His hand.
Prayer: Thank You Lord, for my children. Please help me be the parent they need. Lord, I trust You to care for them and thank You that You have them! In Jesus’ name, Amen.