Oh Baby: 14 Devotions for New ParentsSample

You are Brave

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. DEUTERONOMY 31:6 NIV

The book of Acts tells of Lydia, a successful business owner in the male-dominated Roman Empire. A dealer of purple cloth in Thyatira, Lydia was not unique in her trade but certainly a pioneer in her personal life. And although little is known about her family and household, we do know that she took in Paul and Silas after they had been jailed, she made the leap of faith to embrace Christianity, and her house may have served as a center for Christian work. Each of these decisions was risky on her part but also part and parcel of the entrepreneurial spirit she surely possessed.

Being brave requires faith, and having faith requires bravery. What does the Bible urge us to do, again and again, in the face of fear? To trust in the Lord. God gave every parent the capacity for bravery. But true godly bravery means living according to what God alone tells us. That means putting our faith in God and putting His plans for us and our family first, above anything else.

Your own version of “brave” probably doesn’t look the same as anybody else’s. Homeschooling may scare some parents and delight others. Having one child may be overwhelming to some, while having six or seven is another person’s limit. Being courageous is not about seeking sameness but simply about seeking. It’s also about pushing away envy and jealousy over things that have nothing to do with you. That exercise requires you to be brave with your life.

These days, every friend, family member, or follower has an opinion on what you show the world. But when one person steps into their calling with courage, they pave the way for others to follow. An act of courage is a bold move forward that can make life uncomfortable, if only for a while, for anybody who undertakes it—but it is a move forward.

Prayer:

God, I believe that if You command something in the Bible, then You give us the capacity to obey. So when You call us to courage, You know that we are capable! Parenting can be scary, but You are our peace. I trust You as I continue forward bravely in parenthood.