Raising up weapons

A couple of years ago we read a book with our Sunday School class that left a lasting impression on me. At that time we had E and I was pregnant with G. I was in a moment of being quite terrified of the responsibility of raising two boys and not damaging them.

We were reading a book called, For better or for kids, by Patrick and Ruth Schwenk. Here are a couple of quotes from the book that really spoke to me.

"God created the family - parents and their children - to have a greater purpose: to be instrumental in building and shaping civilization."

"Families are good for kids because they need the nurturing, protection, wisdom, discipline, and guidance of a man and a woman who love them deeply."

"...we are raising kids who will grow up to fulfill God's purpose by piercing the darkness of the world in which they live. In God's hands, our children will become weapons of truth, life, and light in a dark, broken, and hurting world."

"God has a plan and a vision for each couple and family."

What I love most about these words is that it shifts the responsibility from my incapable shoulders to God's very capable hands.

IN GOD'S HANDS...

I am so thankful that God chose me to be these boy's mama. I am so thankful that I get a front row seat to watch them grow and learn. And I am so thankful that HE has the purpose and plan for us as a family and for them as individuals.

I learned a long time ago from some very wise women, whom God placed in my life, that my husband and children would not belong to me, they would belong to God. I am so grateful to have been given that learning before I had a husband or children, for it would have been so much harder to not hold on to them as my own.

My guys belong to the Lord. I can trust HIM with them. He has a perfect purpose and plan for all of us.

I do not get sad when my boys grow and change. For I understand that this is exactly the purpose for having them. I did not have children to keep them little so that I would always have someone to love or love me. No, I had children to love and teach them as best I can and to send them out into this world as weapons of truth, life and light. This world needs that.

If I hold onto these boys because I need them they will not have the freedom they need to go and do the things that God created them to do. I never want them to have to fight to be able to do whatever God calls them to do.

I desire to love my boys, teach them, watch them grow, point them to God, and give them the wings and freedom to go and do whatever HE calls them to.

I know this will be a very difficult place to stand in every different season of our lives. But I am thankful to have been given the understanding early that they are not mine to keep but they are mine to set free.

And God desires to use them for His kingdom in mighty ways because our dark world needs mighty warriors. Our world needs arrows that will pierce through the darkness and shine HIS light.

So I get to watch these boys grow, learn and change before my very eyes. It does not make me sad. It makes me so very happy and so very proud. I get to be used by God to help them come to know Him, learn to love Him. learn to allow Him to love them, and watch them live to serve Him all the days of their lives. This is my prayer and this is my joy. I am not perfect but my shortcomings are covered by God's grace.

You won't hear me say I wish they would stop growing or I wish they would stay little. I do not wish those things or feel those things. I don't need them to stay little and the world doesn't need them to stay little.

I only pray that I can truly be a help to them as they learn and grow. I pray that I will not be a hindrance to them in any way. I want to be their home base, their safe place, their launching pad. I want to be the place where they test their wings and feel safe enough to fail but also feel free enough to get back up and try again.

I want to do my best to enjoy them at every stage and be excited with them as they move to the next one. I never want to try to hold them back in any way but to encourage them to grow into the Godly men that I know God created them to be and to be the light that this dark world needs.

This book reinforced this in me in such a strong way. It pointed me to the scripture that says our children are like arrows in the hands of a warrior.

Psalm 127:4-5 "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court."

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for these incredible boys! Our E has just turned three and already he is such a blessing to those around him. He prays for me and brings joy wherever he goes. I am beyond excited to see how he impacts this world along with his brother!

Father,
Thank you for your infinite wisdom. Thank you for all the wisdom you poured into me before I ever knew I needed it. Thank you for your perfect plan. Thank you for these sweet boys. I ask you for your wisdom continually. I need you every single day. I am so grateful that you allow me to be these boys' mama. May I always be a safe place for them and may I always be good for them. Help me to always hold onto them with an open hand. Help me to encourage them and point them to you always. Father I pray that E and G would come to know you, learn to love you, allow you to love them and live to serve you all the days of their lives. I pray this for their future wives as well. I pray that I would never try to hold them back in any way out of my own needs or fears. Thank you Lord for them and for allowing me a front row seat to watch them grow. Help me to be the best mom for them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.