Your Kids Very Special Human

I was speaking with a friend and we were talking about parenting and how we want so badly to do it well. She said something that profoundly affected my viewpoint on God, my weaknesses, and His grace. She said,

“I’m praying that God stands in the gap where I fall short.”

Hearing her say those words was like a long-awaited breeze drying off a summer sweat. They were so hope filled. Yes, God wants to see my children walking with Him, so  because He is well aware of my inadequacies, I believe He will stand in the gap when I fall short.

Because ya’ll, I fall short.

But so what, because the fact is He loves my babies and wants them to know Him and enjoy Him.

I love my babies too, but the reality is I’m just another human on this journey with them.

(Well, not just another human, their very special human.  )

I wasn’t born with motherhood figured out. I wasn’t even born self-less and awesome. I was born prone to wonder.

Yet, I’m clinging to the hope that He will fill in the gaps as I pursue this goal (as spoken by Sally Clarkson):

“I don’t just want my kids to be moral. I don’t just want them to know all of the biblical rules for behavior. I don’t just want them to make it through my home with good grades, no drug addition, and no premarital sex. I want them to leave my home with a hunger and passion to know God personally and to be used by him to accomplish great things for his kingdom.”

Oh this.

I want to pass on to my children a hunger and passion and a Kingdom focus. But it won’t come easy and it won’t come cheap.

What great thing does?

My goal as a parent then is to be as intentional as possible when it comes to instilling in my children a love of God. I suppose this will be something they see in me as I teach them.

It will, of course, take a lot of falling down and getting back up. A lot of forgiveness and grace and the seeking of His face.

A lot of beginning again.

But it’s all okay, because He knows.

And He’s for us.

With three small children, I know I have a long road ahead of me. One that requires much sacrifice on my part, but one that will no doubt surprise me one day as I look back on how fast it all actually went. I am also anticipating great joy.

I know God is continually, gently, guiding me to persevere, have vision, and keep my eyes on Him. He is my shepherd; He is my children’s shepherd, and He stands in the gap with a mercy that makes the spirit inside me swell with gratitude and peace.

I can do this.

Because He’s with me every step of the way.

“…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Love, Sarah Mae