Wonderful Counselor

What to pack and what to bring?

Which way to take and how many stops to make and what are we going to eat?

Rent or buy, on post or off?

Which schools, activities, church, clothes, hairstyles, friends, and attitudes . . .

The questions for a PCS mushroom right in front of you, requiring decisions that range from inconsequential to life altering. As you navigate them all, you might also be dealing with a kid who has made friends with everyone on the block in five minutes, a kid throwing a temper tantrum over a carrot, or a kid locked in their room, refusing to come out. Or one of each!

Getting everyone in the car takes a logistics specialist. Getting everyone in the car happy takes a master counselor—the master counselor.

But it doesn’t take a complete life upheaval to be in need of wise counsel. Nothing will put you on your knees praying for wisdom daily like being a parent. The issues families are facing these days are complex: divorce, division, substance abuse, addiction, gender questions, health and safety, mental health, suicide, and on the list goes.

As these challenges reveal our inadequacies, we can be all the more grateful for the gift of Jesus, our wonderful counselor.

A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)

These words of the prophet were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and laid in a feed trough near His mother and father. Angels filled the sky singing praises over this tiny one. The wisdom of all time and all space packaged in a tiny body, to be revealed moment by moment in Jesus’s life, words, and continued presence with us.

This is another reason to celebrate this Christmas. Because of Jesus we can access God’s wisdom and comfort. These kids don’t come with instruction manuals, as the old saying goes. But we have direct access to their Maker.

So as this busy season unfolds, let’s keep our focus on the wonderful counselor, Jesus. When difficult family interactions, insane schedules, and raw emotions boil up during the holidays, He is with you. And with every grand celebration, family dinner, church production, and wrapped present, be mindful to keep Jesus in His rightful place as the reason for everlasting joy and hope.

PRAY

Oh, Wonderful Counselor, thank You! Thank You for leading us through this parenting journey and military life. Thank You for Your wisdom and comfort. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What’s the best part for you about Jesus coming to earth? How does that help you with today’s hard times?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Isaiah 11:2

2 Corinthians 1:3-4