Mayflower vans and vague memories
Some girls dream of being the first woman president or an astronaut. My young childhood memories consisted of random mental snapshots of places we lived as my father chased a career in broadcasting. Even as a child, I dreamed of a life without a Mayflower van packed with everything we owned sitting in the driveway.
I wanted a real home, to be a wife and mom. I dreamed of roots, planted deep into something solid and real and secure. When I found my prince, married at eighteen, and began our family, my life felt complete.
A people-watcher and student of human nature from a young age, I figured my stints at babysitting and the trials of having a younger brother had sufficiently prepared me for parenthood. Also, I read Dr. Spock's book Baby and Child Care. That sealed the deal.
I was set.
A better word would be "deluded."
Little brothers are challenging, for sure. And babysitting had taught me to change a diaper. Nothing I'd experienced in my short life, though, had truly prepared me for motherhood.
Growing a new life into adulthood is the most beautiful experience in the world. The surprise is learning that parenting doesn't have an expiration date. As I had four more children and continued to grow up into my role as a wife and mom, I often found myself watching my parents wade through the seasons of loss and rebirth in their family.
I began to rethink this whole parenting thing. Not in the way of wanting to quit.
Realizing that parenting is never over.
As much as it hurt to see my folks' struggles and pain, I realized they were blazing the path ahead for me, as they had always done. The next generation learns how to live - and die - by watching the generation before them.
Learning from their mistakes.
Making new ones of our own.
Finding Jesus, the Father's heart, and the way home through it all.
Just for you today
Some things about parenting get easier over the years. Some things get harder. For sure, new challenges arise just as we conquer the old ones.
If life's been especially hard lately, it's time for a little break. Stop beating yourself up for your real or perceived failures. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, go to a quiet place (if that's possible), and soak in these ten Scriptures from the Father's heart for you. Remember He loves you, He's fighting for you, and it's going to be okay.
Ten Things to Tell Yourself on the Hard Days
And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.
- Romans 8:18-19
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name.
- Psalm 23:3
She has done what she could....
- Mark 14:8
And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
- Esther 4:14 KJV
How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand.
- Psalm 139:17-18
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints.
- Hebrews 6:10
For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for a lifetime;Weeping may last for the night,But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
- Psalm 30:5
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.- Isaiah 40:11
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4
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