The Gift of Children

When I was pregnant with my first child, I don't remember anyone explaining to me that there would be challenges ahead when that child got older. I don't recall them explaining to me that the child would have a personality and thoughts of his own that I would have to work with or try to work around. I do remember that I foolishly thought the most challenging parts of child raising would be potty training and keeping him clothed. I can say that 23 years later I know so much more about parenting, but I am also learning more everyday. 

I can acknowledge that I was a challenging child. I was stubborn, strong-willed, a little crazy and a lot wild. I did not make it easy on my parents to raise me and set me on the right path. Through my actions and choices, I threw a lot of roadblocks in the path that they tried to set me on. However, I survived. The road has been bumpy and I have made a few u-turns, but I have learned a lot of life lessons. Those lessons help me now with my children that are in their own individual ways, doing the same to me as I did my parents. 

Why should it surprise me that I have some children that have that same spirit that I do? Is it hereditary or environmental? I don't know the answers, but I do know that I am thankful for my faith and that I can lean on my Heavenly Father to guide me through the parenting challenges I face. Unfortunately, there is not a parent how to guide that you can turn to a certain page to solve the problem of the moment. But fortunately, we have a loving God that we can cry out to, lean on and trust that he will get us through.

We are told in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight". I have learned to lean into God and ask him to lead me, give me clarity and wisdom in situations with my kids and to most of all protect them. I have to remind myself that my kids are really his kids, that I have been blessed to have for a moment in time. 

I don't know why he chose me to raise these 4 particular children, but I do know that I am thankful that he did. Sometimes they bring me frustration and my heart hurts for them or because of them, but they each mostly bring me such blessings and joy. The love for my children is like no other love I know, I can't imagine how I could love them more or measure that love.

Maybe Jesus gave them to me so that I could get a taste of the love he has for me..... Whatever the reason and whatever the latest problem or issue that I have with one of my kids, I do know that I will praise him and be thankful that they are mine. "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O most High". Psalm 9: 1-2.

The world is changing so fast and is reaching for my children in different ways. As I begin to get scared and worry about my kids, I will remind myself to turn to Jesus. We can't always protect them and make them do what is right. What we can do is share our wisdom and our life experiences with them. Most importantly we can constantly pray over them and remember that our Heavenly Father has us all in the palms of his hand. Thank you Jesus!!