Are you a bad mom? (Part 2)

Are you a bad mom?

If you missed the 1st part – You can read it HERE before continuing.

. . .

Where did things first go wrong?

Reread that passage in Genesis again.

It wasn’t the Father, and it wasn’t the kids (yes – later it was their choice) . . .

There was another force to be reckoned with.

There is an enemy!

And he is out to “kill, steal and destroy” (John 10:10).

He knows the worth and value of each of your kids, and he is afraid of the impact your kids can and will have on his kingdom! {Yay! Watchout!}

His greatest fear is that we will truly know how powerful and awesome we are!

When your kids (and you) are walking out and living their potential – who God made them to be – Satan’s plans and works get destroyed! So . . . he starts when they are young, and he tries to subtly feed them lies – that sound like truth!

* The tree did look good to eat, pleasing to the eye and it was desirable. How could it be bad then?

* “It doesn’t mean anything mom. It’s no big deal.” {yep – heard that recently around here!}

It’s not the “big” things (big lies, sins and deception from the enemy) that we need to look out for . . . but it’s the subtle things . . . the slow wooing of their hunger, their senses, and their desires.

I say all this, not to scare you – but to empower you!

What you can do.

When you don’t know what to do . . . PRAY!

You have a weapon that is like no other! It is not of this world, and because of that – it can defeat the things that are not of this world!

I was given some great advice from a friend last week. This is what I already do – but it was sooo encouraging to hear it from another mom who has a child a bit older than my oldest.

* Pray for God to change their heart and for the Holy Spirit to take over the parenting (the most necessary transition that has to happen when parenting our teens!).
* Wait (a long time) until God does what you cannot! 🙂

2 Corinthians 10:4 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds . . . {YAY!}

So pull out that weapon!

Don’t know how to use it? Then find someone who does – and learn from them. Pray together. Read about praying for your kids. Read the word of God and what He says about prayer and it’s power!

Don’t just sit there saying you don’t know what to do or how to pray. Ask God. He knows how it all works – and He definitely knows what to do!

Trust God with “His” kids!

Your kids are God’s. He created them – thought them up, designed them, planned their lives, loves them unconditionally, and even died for their mistakes, wrong choices and sins. Then he gave them to us to watch over, protect, teach and train.

But, here’s a thought . . . Don’t you think He could possibly help them better than we could – and help us when we don’t know what to do (better than any parenting “expert” out there!)? 🙂

I have been humbled, amazed and blessed (especially this past year) with all the times that God has “taken care of things” for me and my family. 🙂 He has protected us, defended us, loved us, protected my kids, given me wisdom and insight when I didn’t know what to do, and is continually reassuring me that I can “bank” on His promises for my kids! I declare them out – over and for my kids, and have let the enemy know that he is no match for this Daughter of the King and her Daddy!

My kids are God’s – and He has said they are AWESOME and that they will be and do some pretty amazing things! (He should know!)

So, can you trust Him completely with your kids.

Are you afraid?

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Rest in God’s love for you today. Get filled up! Know that His love is for you and your kids. He not only created each of you – but He has chosen each of you to be His own!

Once you know the unconditional love of your heavenly Father . . . Fear has to leave!

Then you are free to love your kids unconditionally – even in the midst of their messes. There no longer has to be fear involved – fear that they will turn out wrong, messed up, make bad choices, ruin their lives, tarnish your family’s reputation, etc. Instead, you will be able to love them for who they are and who God created them to be . . . even if they are not walking that out at the moment. 🙂

I heard someone once say about a relative that was living quite a sinful and rebellious life – “They are just working on their testimony!” 🙂 I love it – because it’s coming from the viewpoint that God and His love wins in the end! It’s believing the “truth” (what God says) about someone instead of the “facts” that seem so evident right now.

God has a plan and purpose for each of us – even your kids.

And that plan is for GOOD – and not to harm.

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.

But I really love the next verses as well (for those that have struggled with feeling like you (or your kids) have messed up too much for God to take you back or bless you – or are afraid your kids will do the same):

Jeremiah 29:12-14 – Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I WILL listen to you. ¹³ You WILL seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I WILL be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and WILL bring you back from captivity. I WILL gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and WILL bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.

You can truly “bank” on the promises of God – and this is one that I am holding firmly to for each of our kids (as well as my life and my husband’s)!

You are a Good mom!

How do I know? Because God made us with that ability . . . even if we are not living it out at the present moment. 🙂

Is a tiny apple tree seedling not an apple tree just because it doesn’t have fruit on it?

No.

Is an old apple tree that is old not an apple tree just because there’s no fruit anymore?

No.

It’s still an apple tree.

YOU are a mom.

You have the ability to be a good mom – because at your core, you ARE a good mom!

Believe it.

Act on that belief.

And you will soon see the fruit appearing!

Do the same with your kids!

Call out the “gold” that is in them . . . who God made them to be . . . AMAZING!

And watch the fruit appear!

Be encouraged today! Today is a NEW DAY!

It’s easy to tell others what you’re not good at – so today I’m challenging you to leave a comment here and tell us what you ROCK at doing/being as a mom! 🙂