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Do you ever feel helpless as a parent?
Maybe I should clarify.
Do you ever feel like you’ve tried “everything” but nothing is working and you have no more “tricks up your sleeve” or “tools in your toolbox”?
Only 4.5 years in the parenting ring, and I’ve already expreienced my fair share of days like that. Today is one of them.
Now, I’ve read a whole slew of parenting books and I have a loooooong list of books I still want to read. I have to admit that in those helpless moments {may I call them desperate moments? Sometimes that’s how they feel!}, my mind runs through which books I need to move up on the list and read right away, which book will help me right now.
It’s like I’m grasping at straws, trying to find something I can hold onto so that I can get a grip, gain control, and remain hopeful that I don’t ruin my kids for life. {I’m just bein’ real here.}
The trouble is, determining what I should read only makes me feel more helpless. After all, I have so little time to read and the demands on my “should do” list are already long and overwhelming!
Enter: Grace.
“He gives us more grace” (James 4:6).
Did you know that? He gives us more grace!
Sister, when you are feeling helpless or don’t know what to do, take a deep breath and stop trying to figure it all out.
“Be still and know that HE is God.” (Psalm 46:10)
With Christ in you, you are not helpless!
Not only can we do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13), Peter writes,”Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:2-3)
God’s grace and peace are multiplied in or through the knowledge of God. Peter cannot get past his second sentence without exposing one of his deepest convictions: namely, that knowing God is the means by which his grace and peace become large and powerful in our lives. If you want to enjoy God’s peace and be the aroma of his grace in the world, your knowledge of him has to grow. (John Piper, “Liberating Promises“)
There is only one Book that will give us the answers we are looking for in life and in parenting. There is only one Book we need to read.
The Bible.
Period. That’s it.
I don’t need to run to a shelf full of parenting books or blogs or experts. I need to run to THE Parent. I need to get to know Him, read His Words.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Sister, if you are a mom, God has given you a powerful ministry. He has called you, and He will equip you with all you need for doing His will. (see also Hebrews 13:21).
God is the parenting expert.
The Bible is the most helpful parenting book on the market.
Let’s run to His Word first.
By the way, in those moments when it feels like nothing is working, I have to remind myself (and you, if you can relate): it might feel like nothing is working, but that’s not necessarily true.
As we seek to shepherd the hearts of our kids, the results are rarely immediate. We have years of investing, sowing, guiding, training, modeling, praying, and loving to do. Years!
In the moment, your efforts might feel futile, but that moment is just that: a moment. It will pass.
We’re in this together, Sister.
*By the way, I am definitely not against parenting books :: in fact, you can find some of my favorite parenting books here. I have learned so much from so many! I just need to remind myself to not rely on what others say before depending on what God says and to not run to people before running to God.
Question for You:
What are you struggling with lately when it comes to parenting? Send me an e-mail or share in the comments and when you comment, take a minute and pray for the sister who commented above you.
Moms with grown little ones, what do you have any advice to share with us?
setting limits and boundaries and then sticking to them. no.matter.what. this is what’s hard for me. and the dirty socks.
YES! me too … except for the dirty socks. For me, it’s the unmatched socks. :)
Praying for you right now, Kendal.
My biggest challenge is disciplining firm and kind every time. When I feel like a bad mom, or a failure at work I get defensive and it gets hard to be patient. I love how you point us back to the bible! I love some of my parenting books but the best book is the bible, great reminder!
One thing I am leraning more as a parent is that it is a process. They are learning and I am learning.
Great post Erika!
Kendal, praying you can set Godly limits and stick to them with kindess and firmness!
Amen! Today was the struggling day for me as well. Recounting the events to my husband reminded me about how much of the struggle was “not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities”, it is a spiritual battle. That is why parenting books don’t have the same effect as our sword of God’s Word. Stand firm sisters!
I really relate to this. I feel like I am not a good parent bc I have a pile of books I want to read to be a better mom for my kids and I just don’t have the time to read. It kind of depresses me.
And I confess, I have doubts that the Bible will be enough for me to raise my kids. Maybe that’s what all these books sway me to think.
I’m grateful you posted 2 Tim 3:16-17, it was the first scripture we memorized at the start of this school year. So I am going to be more open to the Holy Spirit in those teachable moments guiding me to minister to my kids hearts and build them up as warriors.
Hoping you’re having a great time with your Sisters at Allume!
Great post – I really latched on to this one this week. God’s word is so powerful, I have to remember to search it daily for all the answers to my heart.
Also I wanted to let you know I linked this post as one of my weekly favorites which will be up on Tuesday if you want to stop by and see the rest. Thank you for this post!
Marissa