More Than Just Love: A Devotional for ParentsSample

Joy

Let me be honest. Writing this devotional has been a bittersweet journey for me. I’ve had to relive some hard stories. My emotions have been all over the place. Maybe, like me, you’ve thought, “Why did I decide to become a parent?”

But my friends, I don’t think I ever understood how someone can experience joy during trials and testing of their faith until we became parents. This journey has been the reason for some big hurt, but also big joy.

As I relived the stories of our kids, it brought some tears of pain and it would be a disservice to God if I didn’t talk about the joy in the pain we experienced.

Just a few of our joys as parents include friends we would’ve never had otherwise, children healing, seeing children learn to ride a bike, swim, learn to talk, walk and smile! These things are pure joy.

Take time to write down the joy parenthood has brought you and the joy you’re currently experiencing in your journey as a parent.

Daily Challenge: There's no better way to end today than by asking God to continually show you the JOY in the trials and for the energy to persevere. What a privilege for Him to use us as parents. I thank God and pray you will too, for allowing our children to be a part of our journey, life and story.