Sarah BranchIsn’t it amazing how in some areas of your life it is has become so easy to trust in the Lord and have faith in his instruction and protection and in others so difficult. Sometimes without us even realising it.
I find this in my parenting, I feel like I am totally in the wilderness when it comes to bringing up my kids right now. I guess it’s an area we have got no experience in, and never do in each phase that comes. It also dawned on me how we rely so heavily on the norm of society to determine whether what we are doing is a success or not. Have they reached the mile stones like the rest of them have, are they learning to swim at the exact right time, are they learning the right things school wise, are they talking enough and correctly, in our case our life is so out of the norm (what is considered normal for us anyway), we are so often split apart as a family- how will the kids turn out with this? We’re barely in one place around a pool for long enough – will they learn to swim in time? What about the schooling- home school? Boarding school? School? What will be a better or worse effect on them.
Our kids are such an important part of our lives no one wants to mess up with them. How often can we take the power upon ourselves, away from God, when it is not our power to hold?
I have just read back to something I wrote down a few months ago:
“I am being convicted on my role in motherhood/ parenthood. I keep feeling the need to do more, the pressure of making my children turn out the way that they need to for the Lord. Don’t send them to school because they must be protected against the world (not saying this is wrong), feeling guilty I’m not teaching them enough about the Lord etc. What I’m saying that iv realised is wrong, is this pressure I’m putting on myself to make these decisions out of my own understanding and to “make” my children into who they ought to be. In The book “parenting” I have read about Gods grace being what will make the kids into what he needs them to be, I am simply just here for him to instruct and use me in how to do it. So I need to submit to the Lord everyday just as he instructed me before hand. Wait on him to instruct me as to how And what to do for my very individual children and stop feeling the pressure for them to be correct and perfect. None of us are and it’s not a reflection of me, it’s not my burden to carry. The Lord knows best and he will direct me on what to do. This is an area of my life that I don’t seem to be relying on the Lord enough for direction but taking it in my own hands. The most important area of my life!
I keep getting shown as mentioned previously that the Lord will destroy our enemies, that we have entered the land of milk and honey and will dwell safely in it. That the Lord will fight the battles for us. All of us who believe! Yes, you too! But I am now seeing the part that we have to play. Once the Israelites crossed the river into the promised land. They then needed to wait on the Lord and consult him before anything they do (they didn’t when they made the peace treaty and they were deceived) so I am seeing how I need to consult him for every single thing. They then had a part to play in going in to battle and taking action even though the Lord fought on their behalf, they also had to rid their homes of everything of the enemy as well as rid them in the land, and they had to keep all of the Lords commands, be very committed in obeying them. It didn’t seem like it would come easily to do so, the bible says how we have to love the lord with all our heart and all our soul and all our strength. That takes ALOT to obey all the commands and to obey the commands is to love the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8 speaks straight to the core of my being and soul. That we have been taken into the wilderness, living in a tent in amongst the snakes, mosquitos and spiders (at the moment when I close my eyes all I have is images of spiders everywhere because they are EVERYWHERE!!) At the time I was running out of formula in camp, someone brought me HEAPS by mistake, at the time I was running out of wet wipes and nappies someone just gave me some out of the blue that the guests had left. We mustn’t forget what he’s got us through in our time of comfort and plentiful, as tiny as this example is.”
But Today has been a day that I have let the worry of all of societies pressures get to me, pure panic set in and I felt so helpless.
I was reminded of this scripture:
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We know that Gods will is not our will, we know not to conform to the pattern of this world and in most areas of our lives we do that quite easily with full confidence but how often are we feeling pressure of going in the direction of this world with our kids and putting absolutely no prayer and trust in the Lord as to what he wants for each individual child. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
So often I feel trapped by the idea “but what if I made wrong decisions, what if I’m off of Gods path and out of his hands” I have been interviewing so many incredible people that have been through some of the worst journeys in their lives and have found full freedom through Christ. These I will be sharing on this blog soon. I am absolutely convinced after seeing all these testimonies that no matter what paths we take, no matter how we mess up. Gods uses ALL circumstances for the good of those who love him. He can turn everything around in the most miraculous ways!
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
While I was feeling so disheartened and complaining about my situation this morning the Lord said to me: “Sarah you’ve asked me to use you, now let me use you”. I am always up to giving myself as a living sacrifice to the Lord, wanting him to use me when things are going well and I’m so excited with the way things are going. But when things are tough and I can’t see Gods plan visibly playing out. I can be so quick to ask him to take it away just as Paul asked for that thorn to be removed from his side. God knows what he’s doing and his Grace is sufficient for us.
So just a reminder for all those feeling lost and where I was this morning:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Remember: as for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30
So seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Ask Jesus for direction and he will show you.
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.
Thank you Lord Jesus, that your way is perfect! I submit myself as a mom to you completely, giving myself to you as a living sacrifice. You know what is best for our children’s schooling, their social life, how they will learn to love you and submit their lives to you, you have their lives mapped out according to your perfect will.
I submit our children, family and my mind to you. Please renew my and my husbands mind to follow your will and purpose you have for each one of us.
We praise you now as you go before us paving the way for us and we follow you with our praises as we watch the path mapping out before us.