Feeling In Need Of Encouragement?

I'm just thinking today that there may be some of you who need encouragement.  You're feeling like a failure. You're feeling alone.  I'm not a good wife, I'm not a good mother.  I'm lousy at so many things.  Everyone else has it all together, but not me.  If I try hard enough, maybe no one will know how bad I'm doing--I can hide it. But my heart knows. My heart is condemning me. God knows how badly I'm doing.

I'm just thinking that maybe you need to know that you're not alone, and that God loves you.  I'm just thinking that maybe you need a hug, and need to know that there's hope for you, and your family.


Rest In Me

Without the love of God, without His grace, none of us could stand.  Wherever you are in the journey, God is there with you, and He's giving you another chance.  "Come," He says.  "Rest in Me.  Trust Me.  Learn from Me."  He loves you and He is your answer.

"Ten Easy Steps to Perfect Children"
Sometimes I can sound like there are "rules" that, if you follow them, will magically produce perfect children.  That's not what I'm trying to do. God has taught me some things through the raising of our children, and I see what's "working" in other families. My motives are probably good, but I don't want to ever forget to share that you are on a journey--a journey with God.  He's going to take you through a different path, creating a very unique testimony for your family, and for each of your children.  He will allow trials, testings, problems, and draw you to Himself over and over again.  Go to Him with all your fears, questions, each individual child, and each individual strength and weakness of theirs, and yours.  The "times that try men's souls" bring us to our knees--draw us deeper into His Word.

We Need You, Lord
We get to know the Lord in new and more personal ways.  There aren't any shortcuts. You have to personally dig deep in His Word.  You have to pour out your heart in prayer.  You have to repent of sin in your own heart and seek Him, and live transparently before your children.  If your heart is in a living relationship with your Lord, pursuing Him, striving to live holy lives, as you teach them humbly, that's half the battle.  You need God's grace and God's leading to raise your children, to train them in righteousness, and it takes a ton of prayer.

It's not only God working on them, though, and then they're grown up, and your work is done! Surprise.  He's working on you as a parent. He's working in your life through them, and He's never done with you, and your prayers for your children will never stop being needed.


He's More Than We Can Imagine
He is so infinitely more faithful, infinitely more loving, more full of grace and mercy, more able, than anything we ever dreamed of--bring your bruised heart and fears and doubts to Him. Ask Him what to do, today and every day, about every situation and problem--He knows, He loves, He's able to help you. Climb into His loving arms right now.  Hope in Him. It's going to be ok.