How many of you moms out there like to blast the radio in the car and sing along to your favorite songs without a care in the world? Give me a thumbs up if that's you. Hands up, that's me all the way & anyone who knows me knows my favorites are of the praise & worship variety; I can't get enough of it! Anyways, just when you think everyone's eyes are glued to their phone, you realize just how much those around you are paying attention, especially when you hear one of your kids speak up. I don't recall the song but I will never forget the day, my son, Jerimiah spoke up from the back seat as I turned the car off to get out. He said with great expression, "goodness mom, you sang that song like you wrote it! LOL" I was so caught up in that song it was as if no one was there but me & God.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "if you only knew what God has brought them out of you'd understand the depth of their praise"? My kids may never know all that God has brought their momma through but I tell you one thing they will never forget the depth of my praise and the relationship I have with Jesus. They know that Christianity isn't something I practice just on Sunday it's an extension of the way I live every day no matter the circumstances. They know because they see it every day in our house. Your kids are always watching. Your kids know when you're real & when you're all talk & they have no problem calling you out on it. You can not fool a child.
Whether they are 1 or 25 they are smarter than most will give them credit for & they are watching. Good or bad, they know an act when they see one, even when we as parents have the best of intentions. We can teach our kids right from wrong all we want but ultimately they are going to follow the example their parents set before them on a daily basis. I know that's a hard pill to swallow because it forces us to take a good, long, hard look at ourselves in the mirror and make changes we don't want to make; but if we want to raise Godly kids, then it's time we parents get it together and start living it before them at home. Yes, you will make mistakes, no one is perfect, but those are the best opportunities for them to see how you bring it to God & make it right.
Every moment, of every day they are watching how we handle life especially when we mess up. They are watching how we handle situations that arise at work on our worst days & how we react when someone does us wrong. However, they too are watching when we go before our heavenly father and ask for help & guidance. They are watching when "we choose" to be joyful & to step over into praise when it looks like everything is falling apart. They are watching every time you open your bible and seek God for answers to life's most difficult choices. They are watching and what they see in us as parents is what they will practice in their own lives as they grow up and pass it on to their own kids one day.
Now I'm not talking about perfect parenting because there is no such thing. It's not about perfection, it's about taking God at his word and getting to know him for who he is - the greatest parent (Father) of all time. Just look at everything he had to put up with from his own kids in the bible and yet he still loved them, forgave them, & used them to do some pretty amazing things. I'd say he's more than earned that title and knows way more than you and I will ever know about good parenting.
So the next time you feel discouraged or want to throw in the towel so to speak, turn up the music & praise Him like no one is looking; and always remember, it's not about putting on a show or a brave face to show others how tough we can be. It's about being open and honest with yourself, your kids, & most of all your heavenly father who has an excellent track record of patience and can bring you through anything life throws your way. After all, He of all people truly understands how difficult parenthood can be. As Proverbs 3:4-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take;" and when you do, again, your kids will be watching.
#MomLife #Parenthood #GoodParenting #Kids #Teenagers #Family #LeadByExample #RawHonesty #ChristianLiving #Everyday #Life #Perspective
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