Comfort from my Immortal Dad

Shepherding our children’s hearts is one of the biggest jobs we have as parents. Teaching them how to think deeply, ask questions, search for truth, find beauty in creation, respect others, be kind...I mean the list goes on & on and it can sometimes feel like all the cards are stacked against us and failure is just a matter of time. In my tears & honest conversations with the Lord this week, He revealed something to me that I’ve honestly never considered before with regard to parenting - His immortality. Consider this: God has been belly to belly, heart to heart, eyeball to eyeball, IN LOVE WITH and generously walking alongside these same life challenges we face today with every single Mama/Papa that has ever walked this earth. He is THERE...has been there, knows the burden of this responsibility, KNEW how & when you were going to mess it up and still He chose to give you life and theirs. He knows the lineage you come from. He knows the generational victories & defeats. He knows who you are & exactly who He created you to be. You are His masterpiece and the struggle you bury under the weight of thinking you've got to be perfect and raise perfect kids was never meant to be yours. He is the artist. He, the designer. He, the great Omniscient, Omnipresent, Eternal, Immortal, Infinite God. You child, are simply the conduit of His great love & work in action. He's got this. Suddenly this revelation of God as the eternal hand holder, designated driver, tear catcher, advice giver... of every generation's parents who have come before me was this incredible comfort to my heart. The same Abba who wiped my Mom's cheeks and held her close when she felt her heart within her breaking - at my expense - is the same Abba I now run to when my heart is cloven in two. This same God I've come to know & adore as Father is the same God who sat long with my great grandmother as she agonized over the most difficult decision of her life - placing her month old son (my grandfather) into a basket on a storefront doorstep with a note saying “Please take care of my son Teddy.” I’ll never know the circumstances that led her to that doorstep in Detroit, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she was under the precious care of Heavenly Father. This same God was with my Nana when she was left mid winter in Minnesota with three young children, no income and a child oppressed with schizophrenia. He was there, stroking her cheek, fighting with his strong arm for the redemption He bought for her to be fully manifested. Whatever challenges we face as parents, we are not alone, ever, and we are not without hope. These precious ones in our care are the Lord’s children. The passion we have for them pales in comparison to the abundance of Love they (we) were created from. If you’re having a hard day, or it's been a hard month or year, remember your Mom and Dad had those too. Remember you come from generations of parents who were broken just like you. The only sure recipe for success in this is connection with the eternal, immortal source of Love Himself. He's the one who’s got this. Trust His lead. He knows what each one of your children needs and He is faithful, just & true to give exceedingly above & beyond what we could ever ask for or even think of. (Ephesians 3)

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

#memoirsofmotherhood #wenningertribe #thepursuitofjoy #wildandfreefamily #lifeschooling