Beyond Common Sense

You can meet all their physical needs. You can teach them the Bible. You can be their best friend. You can pray for them. You can do your best to instill godly character in them. You can take them to a Christian camp, send them to a Christian school, have them in church every Sunday. But… that may not be enough.  You are not enough to keep them safe in the arms of Jesus.

It reminds me of a line from Finding Nemo. Nemo has swum (that looks so funny, but it is the right word!) further than his father would have liked, and Dad says, “You think you can do these things, but you can’t.” Nemo and his father go on to do the impossible, as only Disney can portray. As a writer, it is easy to bend and end the story the way I would like! But as a born-again believer, I KNOW that only God directs our steps, even allowing us to take the path that will lead to disaster because He knows what is best.

But how does that square with my title? Do you just give up, knowing that you aren’t enough and that everything is in God’s hands anyway? I would call that ‘fatalistic.’ What is a mom to do?!

So many verses come to mind! Here are just a few to remind you of the great and awesome God we serve.

• God works through difficulties and trials:  Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

• God can do more than you know: Ephesians 3:20, Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

• Trust Him, and He will lead: Proverbs 3: 5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

• God’s wisdom is beyond our understanding: Jude 1:25, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

“That’s great, Wanda but if I’m not enough to raise my kids, what am I supposed to do?”

So glad you asked!

• DO Proverbs 3: 5,6. Stop trying to do it all in your strength and bow your knees in prayer. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

• Hand all your cares and worries over to God, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

• Know your enemy. Be serious about the battle you are in for your children.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5:8,9).

Sometimes, just acknowledging that you are not enough to your heavenly Father, starts the wheels turning, pulling the vehicle of parenting out of the mire, and driving you forward into the precious, peaceful will of God. This may sound too simple, but it truly is a matter of knowing God’s Word and applying it to our lives—practically, patiently, and prayerfully!