I am so grateful that this person contacted me and was willing to share their story. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I don’t have any kids of my own (yet anyways) and it’s always good to hear things from a different perspective. Perhaps you are a mother yourself and are going through some of these same issues with your children or perhaps you are the child that is putting your mother through some of these issues, either way I think its a perfect example of how keeping your faith and doing what God wants you do will allow things to work out in the end.
Life as a mom:
Parenthood is one of the most wonderful things that God has gifted us with. We always need to keep that in mind because there will be many trying days ahead when you have children. Kids don’t come with instructions, so most days it is just you and God. I am the mother of 4 wonderful children. I love them all so much. They are all awesome and truthfully I feel very blessed because of them.
I became a Christian when our oldest child was about 3 or so. God knew I would need Him lots over the years and I have relied on him more times than I can count. When I became a Christian, God showed me that being a mom was the most important job I would ever have and I took it very seriously. I read every book I could on parenting (all Christian authors). I knew I wanted to raise my children God’s way. I prayed for guidance all the time.
Our first child was very compliant and actually a very sweet and easy child. Our second, however, was inquisitive and each day was an adventure. Our third child was more like our first in temperament – very sweet and also well loved by all of us. This child had two other siblings to be entertained by and was quite content. The fourth, the baby, was loved and spoiled by all of us. Not sure if this child was good or bad, but we all loved him/her. No self esteem problem there.
What I wanted to share most of all is that a parent’s greatest job is to point their children to a relationship with Jesus. From my experience, children watch every move we make, so if we profess to be a Christian, we had better show our children that we practice what we preach. We need to be honest, loving people who love our God with all of our hearts. When raising our children, I always knew that they belonged to God and He allowed us to parent them for a short time and point the way to a lifetime commitment to Him.
From the time our children were born, my world ceased to be about me and shifted to revolve around them. The love that I felt for them continued to grow each day. I wanted so much for them to follow God and have eternal life with Him.
To this day I regret that I did not teach my children bible verses or read the bible daily to them. I can without a doubt say that we all need to listen to God always. He wants us to make sure our children have His word hidden in their hearts.
Also as a parent, we need to admit that we are not perfect and we will make mistakes with them. Believe me, you will make mistakes, so go to God and your children for forgiveness and go on. I am not sure we can ever really grasp God’s mercy to us. I always struggle with that. More about my children:
My oldest like I said before was a very sweet compliant child. My husband and I did not face much with him/her until high school. Then, excuse my French, all hell broke loose. I can remember one day just falling to the floor and asking God to help us. I prayed for guidance for the child and that He would help him/her find Him and make better life choices. Today, this child is a blessing beyond belief. Well loved in the church her family attends and a blessing to everyone that he/she comes in contact with. Way different from the teenager he/she was. God is good.
My second child was a pistol as he/she was growing up but turned into a beautiful adult. I remember a time when this child was going through a difficult time as a young adult and how unbelievably calm he/she was. This calm could only have come from God.
My third child is right now going through a trying time. I know that God’s hand is right there with him/her and they will get through this. It is totally awesome to see God work behind the scenes in his/her life. Sometimes, you just have to follow God’s lead and trust Him with the rest.
My fourth child has led an interesting life and has not always followed God’s will. (Do any of us?) We had lots of trials with this one by the time he/she reached adulthood. His/her life choices have led to living a life that is devoted to God. He/she is awesome and has committed whatever happens in his/her life to God’s will.
All of our children have found a faith in God that rules their lives despite all the complications life has thrown their way. As a mother I am most thankful for the fact that God means so much to them. I know that their lives though never perfect will be lived for the one who loves them more than anyone ever could.