Peace In Child-Rearing

Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.

Walking along the Path of Parenthood there are segments of the journey that are not quite so easy. We mothers (and fathers) seem to make it look as if it is though, don’t we? (it's ok to give yourself a pat on the back. Go ahead!) The skills and lessons learned throughout life are vital. 

They say what a child learns in the first 5 years of life will be with them throughout their entire life.   It is my personal belief that Adolescence is the hardest part of the journey—both for the parent(s) and for the child(ren).    There are times when a 3 am feeding, a poopy diaper, and chunky spit-up on the shoulder of my just-changed-nightgown fade in comparison to the trials of the now.  Thinking back to those times and how frustrating that segment of the journey seemed to be…WOW!, I want to say, Are you kidding me?! Changing diapers was a piece of cake. :-D

Even stepping on a Lego in a darkened hallway at 2:00 in the morning fades in comparion to some moments in parenthood.   I’d almost rather go back to those days…ahem, I said, almost. 

Now before some of my readers would get the idea that I'm complaining about my "job-status" or about my child, let me set the record in order.  I. Am. Not.  I'm not complaining about either. 

For the last several months it seems that the issues we have are not coming from the people inside the walls we call "HOME", but rather from outside forces. Thankfully the good and all wise GOD above sees all, knows all, and understands all. AND...is willing to stand with us through it all.    

One most certainly has to rely on God during these years…especially in the times we live...it’s just too risky otherwise. Yes, we are way past the 5 year mile marker of this journey now. And, the milestones are swifly passing us by.  I’m thankful that these parental skills are not all left up to me.  (Especially as a single-mom I take great pleasure in this knowledge.) I do not have to go through anything alone. God is the greatest teacher. 

As a Mom I hope I’m doing my job…at least to the Lord’s standards anyway.  (yes, I'm quite aware that I, neither my child, are up to par according to other's standards. For this crowd I say: If you're not praying with me, Remember you are but a by-standard. Your vote doesn't count.)  I think every God-conscience parent would ask the question of themselves---Lord, am I doing everything I'm supposed to be doing?  If I please no one else, I want to please Him. 

I am blessed.  REALLY BLESSED.  My teenager certainly has worked with me.  She's also worked with her Heavenly Father.  For this I am most grateful.  She’s made the journey bearable, both for herself and for her parents.  We are not out of the woods yet. We still have several child-training years to go, but God certainly has made this journey sweeter. 

Every day is a FROG day for our household! Fully. Rely. On. GOD.  And, with His help my sweet daughter is growing—physically, spiritually, and intellectually—by leaps and bounds into the well-rounded individual that Christ would have her be.    

When my hope wains and the outside forces seem to press in a little too close I'm thankful that God is near.  I take comfort that God is for us, God is with us, and not only that, but God is helping me parent/train/teach the BEST kid on the block!!
(you can call me biased if you want.  I really don’t mind. :-D)   

Peace Out!