A Mother Overwhelmed
It seems foolish, really, the frustration I’d felt. I needed to repent for the irritation that was threatening my sanity. It’s not like anything tragic had happened. So many in the world were justifiably mad as they dealt with unjust circumstances. I was merely a mom living a normal day while screaming at unruly kids.
Braking, I pulled off the side of the road and separated two of my children who had been fighting in the back seat. I leaned on the open doorway of the minivan with one child sitting in time-out on a grassy knoll and the other remained buckled up. In truth, I needed the time out just as much as them.
The Fruit of the Womb is God’s Reward
Raising children is tough enough all by itself, but parenting under the pressure of life’s storms overwhelms. Additionally, to parent well under such pressure is a burden that simply seems unrealistic. I wanted to be a great parent! How does God expect us to succeed in raising these children in a way that reflects His love?
In the Psalms, Chapter 127, Verse 3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Does God think all the fruit of my womb is good? Aren’t there apples in the barrel who behave poorly? Is that bad behavior caused by an overtired mother? The influence I had on the finished product weighed heavy on me in those days.
I Want Calmness Always at My Core
My repentant heart cried out to God often when my children were young. In fact, it still does. Not only do I want to be kind and gentle outwardly, I want to be that calm inwardly. I don’t want to repress my irritation. I simply don’t want to feel it in the first place.
It isn’t that I want everyone around me to behave well so that I don’t react. I want the peace of God so deep in my being that outside influences don’t shake me. And herein lies the epiphany!
Place All Attention on God
Repent means to turn, such as away from sin. The opposite is to turn toward God. That is the center of all that I write, which comes from the overflow of all that God puts on my heart. Through lessons in my life, including raising children, God showed me time and time again the value of turning my full attention away from my problems and placing it completely on Him.
When we shift our thoughts to God, no matter the issue we are facing, the Spirit within us shares God’s qualities with us. We can be filled with His peace, patience, and wisdom even in the midst of a child’s tantrum or a back-seat sibling battle.
God Co-Parents Well
When we turn to God, not only does He give us strength, but it gives Him permission to step into what we are facing. Our attention on Him allows Him to supernaturally be present so He can make the difference in our situation. In essence, we are handing Him what we are struggling with.
We aren’t parenting alone. The children God has given us are His, as well. We are coparents with Him, and He is the head of the chain of command. When we repent, which is to turn to Him, we give Him control.
Give Yourself Grace
I was fortunate to have a minivan when my children were little. The solution was to place these girls on separate bench seats and to buckle them at opposite ends. From this proximity, they could no longer reach each other with their physical poking and taunting. They are close today as adults. God really did a great job parenting my kids.
If your outward reactions have you beating yourself up, give yourself grace. Repent in the moment of frustration by turning away from what’s irritating you to focus on God instead. Step away, praise Him, seek His counsel, and allow Him control.
God’s peace,
Rebecca
For another blog about parenting, click to read Mothers, Where is Your Faith?