HE GETS US

“Look at me, Mama!” shouted my four year old daughter, twirling in her ballerina outfit.

“Yes Mama, look at me!” countered her two year old sister, who had added multiple pieces of costume jewelry to compliment her Disney princess outfit, and now was jumping on the mini trampoline…in the middle of our living room.

It was a chilly spring day, and I was nursing my two month old youngest daughter amid a bit of chaos. It was all I could do to ignore the mess, get comfortable while feeding the baby, and focus on the two rambunctious girls who desperately wanted my attention. I wanly smiled and nodded at the girls, while inwardly offered up a prayer: ”Lord, do you see us right now? I’m tired, and these kids want so much attention. Forgive my distraction and haphazard convos with you God. I pray for energy and a sense of wonder as I sit in front seats to watch how these girls are learning and growing. Help me to appreciate this stage of parenting and remember you are walking right beside me each moment of my day. Amen.”

Early childhood parenting is exhausting – especially physically. Parenting older kids and teens can be an emotional roller coaster wearing thin on your patience. But any stage of parenting doesn’t have to be a drain spiritually if you ask God for help. He sees us and understands exactly how we feel. 

• You think you aren’t seen or appreciated? Jesus experienced rejection even from his closest disciples. 
• You feel like you are at the end of your rope with an unruly kid? Jesus navigated a rowdy last supper of disciples arguing about greatness while one bolts to betray Him.
• You doubt your ability to lead these little people to become humans of character and faith? Jesus experienced the doubt of Thomas who placed an ultimatum on God: “Unless I see…I will never believe.” John 20:25

Fully human, Jesus experienced all the pain, exhaustion, and rejection that is part and parcel with the human condition. He gets us. He understands our mindset. He feels our emotions. The joy is–while knowing us, He completely loves us too! 

Fully God, He can love us despite our faults, our sins, our doubts. He chose to love us so much that he paid the price we owed, and merciful Saviour, He conquered death to bring us new life!

So what are we waiting for? A God this powerful, who overcame death to be resurrected, can certainly help us disciple with love the rambunctious three year old who has emptied all the toys into the tub. His Holy Spirit can fill us with strength and discernment to set healthy boundaries with our screen-loving kids and teens even when we are tired. God can open our eyes to see and experience His presence with us, carrying us even, on our hard days and easy days, and all the days in-between.

‍When we make a life decision to follow Jesus, He’s there for us, even when our spidey sense isn’t picking up His signals. Without physical, scientific evidence of Jesus in front of us, we can start to doubt as Thomas did. But I’m realizing that it’s more than logical, physical doubt. It’s emotional doubt. It’s the devil tempting us to revisit our faith decision in Jesus. But it’s more exhausting to keep revisiting past decisions than to faithfully trust in God that He will help you weather the storms of life and parenting.

You don’t have to trust your own judgment, or the latest parenting fad, but you can COMPLETELY trust Jesus to give you the way to follow. Parenting is hard. But it is easier when you have Jesus to help you carry your load. So be confident. Trust God. He gets you and has your back. Jesus sees you and loves you for who you are.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV

Thankful for all you strong and courageous parents! Let’s continue to encourage one another in the faith, knowing our all-powerful God is with us wherever we go.

Grace and peace,

Annikki

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April Epic Kids Unit Verse:

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