I have a deep need to control the things – and if I’m honest, the people – in my life. It all points back to my need to put on an air of perfection in order to shield myself from the lie that I’m not enough. I have come to realize that my need to control causes such a rift in my relationships. It makes my family feel like I’m squeezing the life out of them. I love them and I only want the best for them. I would never intentionally do anything to harm them. As parents, sometimes we seem to get stuck on Colossians 3:20, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord”. I take nothing away from this. I believe it and train my children in this way. However, the word also says that as a parent, “do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We have a very limited amount of time to train up our children and prepare them for the world ahead. They are going to need to know God for themselves. As much as I want to save my girls, I can’t. What I can do, all I can do is “train up a child in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). What does that mean? In our family, it means making time for bible study and prayer. It means talking about ways we can serve and pray for others. Do we always get it right? NO! Does something always try to get in the way? YES! But, we make the commitment and do it anyway…even when it’s messy…even when we’re mad…even when we don’t feel like it. And God meets us in our mess. He is so faithful!
Dear God,
Thank You for being so faithful! Thank You for wisdom and discernment to recognize the lies of the evil one. Please give us a deeper understanding of Your word and order each of our steps. Give us wisdom in raising our children according to Your word. Help us to be slow to anger and to build our children up in love. We love You. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I Will Cling 