Pressure

Recently, I was all distressed over a situation with another mother. Whenever we as moms do something different than another, you know the assault on the brain! We all want to be the best mother we can possibly be and don't care to be challenged in our decisions. We would walk over red-hot coals for our husbands and children.

I always have to come back to that "center" place in my brain . God loves me. He chose my children for me. He knows who they will be and what they will need. In my own incompleteness, I'm the best mom for my children. The way the Lord has directed me to parent, is the best way to parent the children He has entrusted to me.

It's so easy to get distracted when you see another family doing something different from the values your family shares. I asked myself why the situation bothered me so much and I'm still not sure why it did, but the bottom line is it did.

I felt anger, frustration and almost dislike for this other person. Then the Godometer went off. I wasn't walking in love, nor was I walking in the Spirit of who I am in Christ. Perhaps this mother needs grace and love from me. I don't have to change my family values to love and encourage this other woman and her family. She may be frustrated with me or even verbally share her feelings, but I can remain loving and kind, because I'm secure in my position in Christ! Whew! That's tough, but it's really where the Lord wants us. We are to be secure in Him and not what others think of us!

I'm not responsible for how another person perceives me or how they feel about a decision I make for my children. If my husband and I are in agreement with what we do, then that is the safe center place for our family. I'm also not to feel that I am superior to anyone regarding the choices we make for our family!

As I realized these truths, the pressure and weights disappeared! I don't have to worry about another families motives or values or choices, it's not my place! How freeing is that?! Isn't God good to give us comfort in the midst of pressure?

As we make decisions for our family that aren't always popular, it teaches our children to do likewise. It teaches them to follow the inner leading of the Holy Spirit. Isn't that what we really want? Isn't our goal to raise men and women who love God and follow after Him with a whole heart?

I've been so thankful for God to give me ideas to show our children how He intimately cares for us on a personal level. I know that the more "real" Jesus is to our children, the easier it will be to follow after Him in the tight places further down the road in their walk with Him.

Sometimes our path as a daughter of God, takes us through difficult places. They are rugged, dirty, uncomfortable and sometimes even bloody, but through it all, we are helped by the Father who loves us with an unfailing love. I pray that today as you seek the will of God for your family that you feel His love, mercy, grace and peace. I pray that you would be encouraged and strengthened in your walk with Him today. We are to run this race with endurance. Let's not give up. Let's do what Christ has called us to do with our families.

I'll leave you with these verses from Ephesians 3:16-20.

" I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"

Hilltop blessings!
Sheri