He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in His bosom (close to His heart), and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
Maybe you are crippled with fear over a prodigal child’s choices. Or maybe the anger of a family member is coming out in sarcastic digs and you are the target. Maybe your child is struggling physically in a hospital bed or perhaps with peer pressure and/or dangerous behaviors. So many of our young sons and daughters struggle with low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Being a mother is not for the faint of heart dear sister and that’s Okay because you. are. Not. made. of. sugar.
First of all, you have the spirit of the living God living in you. The same one that Raised Christ from the dead. You have the Word of God aka The Bible (which is the sword of the spirit) and you have the power of a mother’s fervent and persistent prayers. (and the gift of Sweet sisters who will pray with you and for you if you will be honest and let them know your needs)
So many resources that often go unused because we wring our hands with anxiety and fear. We can even be pulled down by our child’s mood or situation. Which does. not. help. them. at. all.
Focus on these five truths Sister Mom:
- God did Not cause these hurtful situations
- However, God is So Big and Powerful that He will work this All out for good and bring some purpose out of the pain
- God loves you and your child more than you could ever imagine
- He is in control and anything that happens has been allowed to filter through His loving hands
- God is working on our character as His goal is for us Sister Moms to become more like Christ and for our Children to turn back to a close relationship with the Lord.
We know that All things work for good for those that Love God, who are called according to his purpose, For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that he might be the first born of many brothers. (Sisters too:) Romans 8:28-29
Our Good Shepherd is allowing this pain for a purpose. Can we trust Him that He is Loving and good and in control and allowing this to enter into our lives and our child’s life for good? And isn’t the ultimate good that we will become more like Him? That we and ultimately our children cling more tightly to our Lord?
What can you do as you wait for your child to come back?
- Praise God! Yes, one of our greatest weapons is praise. Thank God for what He is doing, has done and plans to do to intervene. Look up praise music on utube or turn on the local christian radio station. (Mine is 95.1 shine FM for Baltimore)
- Prayer. Talk to the Shepherd. You are SO close to His heart as He is suffering with you and carrying you in His arms. The best book I have found and my go-to book for any parental concern is Stormie Omartian’s book, The Power of a Praying Parent. (and for your adult Children) find it, Read it….She has thought of every trial/temptation possible and has written the perfect prayer and the scripture sword to fight back.
- Wake up early to pray and Listen. Write in a journal what is on your heart. Always end your journal time with three things you are thankful for. The best way to not be pulled down into the pit of pity or depression is to write what you are thankful for. If you are already down in the pit? Climb out of the pit by thanking God and writing out all the good that you see in your child. Write out 10 good things about your child and share it with them.
- Find a prayer partner. Find a friend to prayer with. Use the phone if you don’t live close to each other and pick a set time to chat and pray. If you live close by go for a prayer walk. Chat while exercising and then end with prayer and a drink.
- Write out the promises of God. The Word of God is a weapon. Use it! Speak the truth out loud when you have a negative or anxious thought. You can’t have two emotions at the same time so focus on speaking out truth, and listening to truth…….Perhaps start with writing out the verse Isaiah 40:11 at the top of this post. God promises to hold you close to His heart. You are not alone. He is carrying you and He. will. Not. let. you. fall.
I start out my mornings with my time with Jesus: (Date time:)
1. Contrition: I write what I am sorry for that I did or failed to do the day before (do I need to follow-up and apologize or show I am sorry to someone?) Our hearts need to be clean before we worship and ask for help.
2. Adoration: I write out a character/Name of God (ex. You are the good shepherd, You are love, You are good, You are my provider) and/ or I play a praise song and worship.
3. Thanksgiving: I write out three things I am thankful for.
4. Supplication: I write out 10 people I am praying for. (Be sure to pray not only for your family members but for the friends/significant others of your child)
Keep knocking, Keep trusting, Keep looking forward and expecting God to work this out for His Good and Glory.
I close with a poem I wrote about how the Good Shepherd sometimes allows our child or ourselves to become broken or bruised so that we would realize our need for God. May we choose to turn to Jesus, His promises and to His people when we suffer. Then too, may we turn to Him in rejoicing when our suffering has turned to joy and our prodigal has returned home and the banquet begins.
