Parenting Woes...

Parenting is tough! 

I know, I know... there are more difficult things!  Soldiers are fighting for us. People are battling illness.

But let me just share my heart today about parenting.

You see...it isn't all fun and games. It's not just popsicles and merry-go-rounds. It's not just birthday cake and graduation parties.

It's tough decisions.
It's prayerful consideration.
It's saying "NO!" when in your heart you just want to say, "YES!" 

It's telling your own flesh and blood that they can not have a puppy or pony or third piece of candy.
It's telling your adopted child that they can not play basketball until grades are improved.
It's waiting up at night, wondering if everything is ok.
Sending them off with the world and praying that they make Godly decisions.
It's praying they don't do what you did as a kid!!!

Parenting is knowing that even though they are going to get mad at you, that they are going to want to run from you, that they are going to pout and maybe scream and even cry....you still have to be tough on them.
    You still have to say no. 
         You still can't give in and give them what they think is best for them.

It is knowing you see the long term when they see today.
     It is knowing you see the end result when they see this minute.
          It is knowing that you have been there, you have experienced it, and you know the best route to   success, to freedom, to redemption...

Hmmm.....GOD IS OUR FATHER.

We see the now.
He sees the end.

We feel the pain.
He feels the result.

We cry out.
He remains firm.

We pout and stomp and can't understand why He says no.
He won't budge.

We want the immediate pleasure...the here and now...
He wants our faith.

We want to do things our way.
He wants redemption.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth!"

Isaiah 40:28

We are the child.

He is the father.

 Father knows best!