If you’re a parent, you may remember the first day you brought your child home.
When I arrived back at our tiny apartment two days after giving birth, I was fresh out of energy, with a feeling of overwhelm and no shortage of wailing (from both of us). Okay, mine was just mental.
I. Was. Exhausted. I had worked 12 hours in the Emergency Room prior to going into labor. Looking around the familiar walls, I listened to our new daughter’s breathing, wondering how in the world I would keep her alive.
Fluctuating hormones didn’t help and my tears constructed a constant waterfall.
Lord, I need you as never before.
We managed to keep her growing and before we knew it, a little sister joined. Then another. Then milestones like starting school, staying home alone, and getting a driver’s license. With each milestone came photos, tears, and even more prayers.
I liked to tease my girls over the years, telling them that without their shenanigans, I might not be the prayerful person I am today. But I sincerely hold their gaze as I confess, God knew I needed each and every one.
Over the past twenty-five years of parenting, I have carried many burdens to my heavenly father. I prayed countless hours for wisdom and guidance. I told him what I thought would be best. Then I struggled to listen with an open heart and curious mind as he indicated that of course, he knows better.
He whispered to my heart to let one girl go 2000 miles away to college. He held me as I cried for the one struggling with friends who weren’t loyal. He comforted me when one lay in the ICU, fighting for her life.
Thankfully, each is alive and well, pursuing truth and making her faith her own.
I slowly learned a truth over the past decades: God somehow loves my children even more than I do.
He’s watching them.
He’s caring for them.
He’s holding them each in the palm of his hand.
Yes, it’s my responsibility to pray for them, counsel them and encourage them. They need to learn life skills to thrive on this earth and they need to learn about God so they can develop a personal relationship with him as they mature.
I needed to learn that I can’t control their lives nor should I always rush in to fix it when their worlds are turned upside down.
But I should always pray.
Always encourage.
Always lend a listening ear.
And then tell the truth. God’s word. While giving hundreds of hugs and holding her tight.
When I first held that beautiful baby, I feared I wouldn’t make a good mom. But I learned I had put too much pressure on myself. I didn’t need to be perfect. I only needed to trust God to provide what I needed to parent and what each child needed to grow in him.
If I could go back in time to that day when we arrived home to our humble home, I would whisper to myself, “Don’t worry. You don’t know what to do, but you do know the one who does. God’s got even this.”
If you’re a mom who’s in the thick of it, please know I am praying for you. I also want to give you a free gift of verses I found very helpful over the years. They remind me of God’s promises and comforted me when I didn’t know what to do. Use the link below to print out these promises.
Pray them.
Cling to them.
You won’t be disappointed.
Because, God’s got even these.
Happy Mother’s Day!