Tuesday, April 6, 2010

In times of conflict and struggle...

Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.


Proverbs 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.


I don't know how you all feel about raising preteen and teenage daughters. I for one feel so overwhelmed sometimes. My head hurts with wondering what the right voice of reason is when there is conflict with me directly or with each other. Especially since my girls feel the need to scream or yell when they feel unheard. Double ouch with my head!

You can hear me saying "Drop it" many times during the course of a day and asking "Will it matter 5 years from now?" I like to think I have these one liners that are as creative as theirs sometimes. You know that Mom in you that wants to feel you have scored that one point! I want so much to make my daughters think and ponder what my words mean.

Since reading the Bible on a daily basis, I have found some scripture that I find helpful and encouraging. We all need encouraging in every stage of parenthood and for me this stage is so much more challenging than potty training. Some days I felt so drained and I literally felt my body shut down, no thoughts because brain doesn't function when hurting, and my heart felt so hurt. My husband and I have really struggled through my oldest choices of lying, deceit, manipulation, hurtful words and actions, and how it affects the family. You could say it has felt as though my house was shaken like a Cracker Jack box.

I have felt so alone and have felt embarrassed by not having more of an influence on my daughter's decisions. Just last year after she completed her two year confirmation through church I thought God would have changed her heart. During this time until recently I have not put in as much of a relationship with my Father in Heaven as he desires of me. I have not prayed as I should have, not looked in HIS word for guidance, and have sacrificed an amazingly intimate relationship with God to feel LOST. I know, why you ask? Because like many, I thought I could handle it without prayer and guidance.

God has tapped me from behind on my shoulder, oops I shouldn't put Him there! I now decide today to put Him in front of me so I can see him, follow him and praise Him. I need to seek Him for advice, follow after His heart and praise Him even in these times. Gosh it is so hard to hand it all over, but it is so much harder to do it alone.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.


There are so many promises that God just wants you to know, believe and put on your heart. Put on God's armor today (his word, his Holy Spirit) and you my friend can get through even the toughest of times. In time it will make you stronger and have more empathy for those who endure the same hardships.

My dear Father, God, I want to praise you for your steadfast love and strength and your sincere patience with me in my journey to become more dependant on you. Thank you so much for your arms I do feel around me in my times of need. I praise you for the blessings my life has and my family. May I be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12) Amen

1 comment:

  1. Oh, I remember those days when you feel like your head is going to explode. It is so hard to watch our teenagers deal with all they have to in this day and age. My heart goes out to you...I remember saying even just last year that this whole parenting a teenager is way more difficult than when they are little. It is exhausting!

    God has used that to give me patience and peace in the midst of a storm. When this happens I just go to my place where I can find peace to calm down...my daughter has learned to do the same thing and then we come back together to talk over things calmly.

    It is a tough season to get through.

    Joyce Marie

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and I pray your day is blessed.