Overwhelmed by My Blessings (Part 12)Egzanp

How does it happen? That precious bundle of joy that you hold tenderly in your arms grows and changes so quickly. Suddenly you find yourself wondering what happened to that sweet child you once knew. You know what I’m talking about and she may only be two! 

Our children, strong-willed or not, push against boundaries and usually the tighter the boundaries, the harder they push. They are exercising their will and developing minds and opinions of their own. The same attitudes you experienced when they were toddlers before they could talk may come out in loud words and strong actions when they are older. We call it rebellion and disobedience, and it grates against our last fraying nerve. Our words go unheeded, the attitudes are explosive—and they are often our own! Forgetfulness, apathy, anger and tears have settled in like an uninvited relative and we don’t know what to do. 

Consider this: our children are in the process of “becoming”. Currently they are not who they will someday be. Aren’t you relieved? During these sometimes painful growing years that seem out of control, you need to be the safety bar for your child’s wild, roller coaster emotions. Your own emotional stability will help hold that child firm and secure. However, your security will only be as strong as your hold is on Jesus. He is the key to living through these and every other tough season of parenting. 

How will you make it through these tough seasons? You continue speaking the truth with kindness and love. You model Christ-like behavior. You hold your cool when they lose theirs.  And when you or they mess up, give yourself and them plenty of grace and mercy.  

I won’t tell you it will be easy, fun, or even a great adventure. But as your children go through the circumstances of life in your home, under your care, they are in the very best place for the process of becoming who they were created to be.

"Becoming" can be very messy. It’s the evolution of child transforming into adult and trying to find his or her own identity—yet this process often feels like a revolution! Don’t be surprised or take it personally in their Declaration of Independence when your son or daughter doesn’t want to be you or do things like you. They are testing their values against yours to learn what they will believe for themselves. It’s normal, and as they get older, very necessary and healthy—though it can be painful. Again, don’t be surprised when that child has a few more birthdays and discovers he or she is just like you and is good with it—though it may be when they are 30 and raising their own children!

Hopefully, our child’s desire for independence from us will in turn create dependence on Jesus in us. And maybe while we believe we are helping them become who they are supposed to be, the process is even more about Jesus helping us to become more like Him—more patient, more loving, more kind, more connected to Him. 

Never forget—you and I are still becoming too! 

Father, thank You for Your longsuffering and patience with me as I am still in the process of becoming. I want to become more like You, finding my dependence only in You! Please help me in this season of life with my children that I can offer them some of the same patience You so readily offer me as I am still becoming who You have called me to be. Most days I’m at a real loss in my parenting. I trust that You will guide and lead me as I daily step into new experiences, knowing and believing that You will cover even my worst failures. Thank You for being with me every step and for being my security on the roller coaster of life. I’m holding on!