Women’s Ministry: Parenting for Life
Philippians 2:13: “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
I have had several conversations with women lately about parenting. It doesn’t seem to matter what age their children are, the calling on parents seems to be challenging and lifelong! The challenges differ with the age and stage of the child of course – dealing with a toddler’s temper tantrum is quite different than knowing the right balance in watching/assisting adult children who are going through challenges. Hopefully, we are able to guide young children directly and have an appropriate amount of control over their circumstances for the best possible outcome as they grow and mature. That is what we signed on to do when we decided to have a family and were blessed with children after all.
At every age and stage though we can find ourselves fearful for what the future might hold for our kids. By the time they are adults and difficult circumstances arise in their lives or they make life choices different than what we would do, we are left with trusting God to hold them and pray God will be faithful to never let them go. But this is not easy! While our best defense is prayer, we must continually trust that He is at work even when we don’t see an answer to our prayer. Perseverance in prayer is necessary but it is tough when prayers seem to be unanswered! I have found it comforting just to pray for them out of my love for them trusting in God’s love for them rather than for a specific outcome I think would be best. It is hard but really much less stressful for me to keep worry, fear, impatience and judgment out of my prayer for them and include relief from these attitudes in my prayer for myself instead.
Divine Parent, May all of our children, Your children, fully experience Your love in and through our love in their lives! Guide us, comfort us and keep us close to your heart. Amen.
This month’s devotion is written by Deacon Kathy Paisley, who guides Sheridan’s Women’s Ministry. Kathy is the mother of 2 adult sons, Scott and Nate, a beautiful daughter in love, Kalin and Mimi to Kane, Vayda, and Kai.