Who Has The Last Word?

Bliss, Ryli, Daly Kay, and I

Something just boils my blood when one of mine decides to try and have the last word in an argument…especially if it is with ME. Now, truth be told, my parents thought for a long time that I would have made a great attorney, because I always had to have the last word in an argument as a kid. So maybe my offspring come by it honestly. But this weekend I was watching a church service and there was a beautiful praise and worship song with these lyrics…

“You have the last word…It is finished…”

And I began to think about what must He be thinking when we argue with His last words…”It is finished.” How our every sin is no longer even remembered. They are forgiven. And we try and argue by bringing them up again about ourselves and others. IT IS FINISHED. Thank you sweet Jesus.

The work of our children’s futures, their inevitable accomplishments in His name, their purposes fulfilled…all “finished” according to His last words.

Here’s some of the arguments and doubts I have had with God over the years.

“But God…how can my son become a quarterback when he is missing four fingers?”
“It is finished,” He replies. “He will praise me, for he is fearfully and wonderfully made.”

“But God, how can my premature two pound baby become the military leader I hear you whispering about?”
“I see the end from the beginning and call those things that are not, as though they are. It is finished.”

“But God, who is this Shepherd you are telling me about? This leader…this pastor?”
“Here’s the name…pray for him…he’s coming sooner than you think.” And three weeks later we had a new baby boy in our arms. It was finished before I ever even knew he had been conceived in his birth mother’s womb.

So moms and dads, there’s a good reason it burns you up when your child tries to have the last word in your “discussions.” Think carefully how many times you try to have the last word with Him. And realize, He always has the last word about what you and your child will become and accomplish. Sometimes, despite how things may look at this point in our journey as parents, the wisest thing we can do is throw those promises back up to Him in prayer.

Recently, my future little pastor has been struggling with telling the truth. But I know Who has the last word. So I reminded him, being a pastor means that people are going to have to know that if Shepherd Reback says it, it must be true. I told him he will be known as a man of his word, a man of integrity. I remind him continuously of his God given purpose from the scriptures the Lord shared with me about him even before I knew he existed.

You see, I know Who has the last word.
It is finished.

And when you begin to doubt yourself, your sanity, your ability to do this job as a parent, just remember Who has the last word. He said, “It is finished.” From his perspective, your kiddos have grown and accomplished his every purpose in creating them. So believe it, be confident in it. The finished work on the cross paid for your every sin and failing. Even as a mom or dad!

[bctt tweet=”When you doubt yourself & ability to do this job as a parent, remember Who has the last word.”]

“My fear is silenced in your love, my hope is endless…”
What a great worship song.
What peace it brings me as a mother.