Crossroad For Parents

Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I’m a pretty big fan of the “Gospel according to Sheri”.  In other words, I often like to do things my own way, predict the ending I fancy and try to arrange every detail along the way.  I can count the number of times that has worked well on one hand; and they were probably just  happy accidents.  As our house is about to become empty and quiet again I was  questioning his plan when I happened upon this verse and it was a beautiful reminder that  he has a job and so do I.  His job is to manage the universe and each life he created  and my job is to let him do his job.  Seems pretty simple don’t you think?  

Many of us are at a parenting crossroad and social media is about to blow up with posts about taking kids off to college and staring Kindergarten or the last year of high school, this verse just rings in my mind and echoes in my heart.  It reminds me that our kids were designed to grow up not live in our basement until they were 30.  Our kids were meant to learn, grow, travel and live.  They are going to meet people and make friends; some will shape their character and some will test it.  They are going to make great decisions steeped in the love and wisdom we’ve slathered them with and they will most likely make some not so great decisions and those will be where the real learning takes place.  Independence is a great thing until we watch our kids creep away from us and use it!  I’ve always heard people talk about growing pains but I didn't expect parents to be the ones who suffered from them the most!

Our youngest child begins her last year in college and that makes me feel really old!  I’m really scratching my head wondering how that happened when I’m still celebrating my 29th birthday! The truth is, time races by whether we want it to or not and as parents, we want our kids to be happy and safe.  Sometimes we worry but  through the process of trusting, there comes great peace.  The other night as I was thinking about my college senior and my soon to be married son it made for a long night and in the middle of that long night, I grabbed a pencil and paper and these thoughts just tumbled out.  I’m sure they are from him because I would not be writing in a notebook at 2 in the morning just for my own  amusement.  I hope they just might come in handy no matter what new crossroad you find yourself at this day.

 *Your child is mine…I love them more than you and I will care for them today and every day after.
*I parted a sea, I can make sure your child has someone to play with at recess.
*I put a piece of me inside them, just ask me to help it shine through them.
*Being mine is far more important than being on the team or the homecoming float so help them keep their priorities straight.
*The more time you spend in worry, the less time you spend in trust.
*I always know what’s best…it isn’t always easiest but it’s best because best is getting to heaven and only I know that path for your child.
*My plans for them far exceed yours…let me do my work and just pray for your child to cooperate.
*Tell them you love them but make sure they know I love them even more.
*Truth trumps popularity every single time so demand honesty.
*You can’t pass the test unless you do the lessons…and some lessons are really hard…let them do the work, especially when the lesson is hard.
*Trust me, thank me; when things are easy and when they are hard; don’t worry, I’m a very reliable Father!
*Pray for them and pray with them, speak my name together and often.
*My love isn’t attached to being first, best, beautiful, popular or perfect so please don’t let your love be either.
*It’s not your job to constantly rescue and save your child, one particular Friday my Father watched me suffer through something really awful that turned out pretty awesome!  I knew he was there but he didn’t do it for me.
*Everything in life isn't easy...but everything isn't hard either; know that I'm there loving you through it all.
*If your child needs someone; I'll always get there first, teach them my call sign...JESUS COME!

A Seed To Plant: Write this verse on a post it and stick it somewhere you’ll see it when you worry then pick a couple things from the list that hit your heart or that might touch someone you know who is worried about a child and ask the Father to help you put it in motion.​

Blessings on your day and on your Children’s backpack wherever they may be taking it this fall!