Parenting is a tough road. Most of you here are reading this because you know that alone, as parents, we are not equal to the task. We need the help of our Lord.
Some of the most difficult aspects of parenting are when we are forced to face our past and parent in spite of it. Maybe someone here had an abusive father, a neglectful mother, a person of authority who took advantage or even exploited you. These hurts become magnified as we seek to protect our own children. Trying desperately to do everything right, we find ourselves in bondage and fear.
Let me plead with you to lay it all down at the cross of Christ. Let me show you a more excellent way.
While those past hurts do effect who we are today, they can have no more hold on us than we let them. We must choose to believe that we are a new creation in Christ, we are spotless and without blemish in His sight, and by His grace and wisdom, we can avoid the same trap in this next generation as we abide in Him and His Word.
There are mothers and fathers who live in fear of their children repeating the same mistakes they did as children or teenagers. The fear causes them to speak it constantly, and so it becomes a prophecy in its own right. Bring your concerns to Christ alone, cast them on Him, but over your children, speak only powerful words of blessing and exhortation.
Believe that God wants what’s best for your children, and that He shows mercy to generation after generation of those that love and seek Him.
Do not let fear extend it’s icy hand into your future for one more moment!
Kill it.
Nail it the cross.
Victory has already been secured by the One who chose that cross for your freedom!
Photography courtesy of Brian Schindler
heatherholihanbubeck says
I just joined the blog Lyette.. I see everyone posts about your blog and I needed some inspiration. Reading this post really got to me. And I let the past get the best of me. I have a son and I am not with his biological father but have an amazing boyfriend of 2 years and one day husband.it is so hard to get away from my past and reading this and other posts is the fuel I needed. I am so happy I have this to read and Lo
Michelle says
Amen! This is easier said than done, but IT CAN BE DONE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST! As you give over to the Lord’s leading, it does get easier and God will show you what you need to let go of next….a loving Heavenly Father can fix what anyone has broken!!
Lyette Reback says
You are so right Michelle. He certainly can!
Sara says
I have constantly struggled with this since I became a mom. Despite prayers and attempting to trust God, I feel like my anxiety is only getting worse and my fears control me more and more. My biggest worry is if I let it go of my fear and try to trust God that it will ultimately lead to something bad happening. For example, if I let a family member watch my children so my husband and I can get a break and go on a date and then that family member abuses our kids. I hear over and over “that’s why you only leave them with a few trusted people”. That’s just not a satisfying answer because all in all I don’t think you can really trust anyone. Anyone could be a secret pedophile no matter how well you think you know them and it’s so hard to trust God with something like that because children are harmed every day. Why would God protect my children if he doesn’t protect the millions of children who are harmed everyday?