Always More Than Enough

If we can’t afford the summer camp, he probably won’t make the team …

She would like to try dance, but we can’t pay for the lessons …

If they can’t have nicer clothes, they’ll be laughed out of school …

Inadequate. Multiple factors can leave us feeling like we’re failing as a parent—from not knowing what to say, to putting our kids through the trials of military life, to not having enough money to fulfill their dreams. It can leave us feeling like we are just … not enough.

But our God knows no limitations, and he is always more than enough. He is abundance; he is always overflowing with overwhelming generosity. He never fails. He is never not enough.

God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (CEV)

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul encourages them to give generously to a project. He assures them the Lord will be able to do the work with what they give. So too, when we give what we can to our children in time, money, energy, and other resources, the Lord is more than able to cover our deficiencies and get our kids where they need to go.

This is not a blank check for us to presume upon. Quite the opposite! It’s trusting that if we can’t afford the camp, the child still will get on the team. Or if he doesn’t, the closed door will be for his ultimate good. It is unwavering confidence in the goodness of the Lord.

In his goodness, God gives us and our kids limitations—inadequacies—and he uses these to shape us. Rather than feel guilt, frustration, or sorrow over this, we can teach our kids to lean into our dependency on the Lord, to learn to trust him. We can believe for ourselves that we will have all we need from him for this good work of parenting.

Pray

Lord, help me to accept my limitations as a parent and to trust in you. You alone have the wisdom and the resources we need. Thank you for your generous care. 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 can we do when God tells us “no”?

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.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Philippians 4:19

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Tonia Gutting wrote this devotional for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your military family, check out our website. www.myherosquad.org.