It’s the end of the ‘Month For Mamas’ but not the end of being a mama. There is a road ahead that may seem long and daunting.
Ups and downs.
Joy and disappointments.
I recently read an article that listed things you should make sure your kids know. The list began with ideas I totally agreed with.
Make sure they know you love them.
Let them know you will always be there for them.
Teach them right from wrong.
Then the one created an explosion in my soul: Tell them you will never be disappointed in them.
At this point, I believe the writer of the list has small children. There is no way she could have a teen to early 20-year-olds because those years have disappointment. Children grow and surround themselves with people you don’t know. They make decisions you don’t agree with. They will disappoint you with a choice they make or a compromise of the morals they were taught as a child. Unfortunately, disappointment is a way of life with our children and others. Some of these are minor annoyances or frustrations but lead to deep emotional hurt. It can lead to major discouragement.
There is no advisement on how to never be disappointed but I can give you a few reminders of how to move forward during them.
- Guard your heart. Let Jesus be your focus not the behavior of your children or the comments of others. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” (Proverbs 4:23).
- Thank God through the disappointments. Being thankful gives us a different perspective of what’s going on. We can find something to be thankful for at all times. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1Thessalonians 5:18).
- Learn from the situation. Stay close to Jesus and see the next thing he wants us to do. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” (Romans 8:28).
- He is with us. We don’t have to do this alone. God never leaves us. It may feel like you are all alone in dealing with the disappointments but with the Holy Spirit, we are given almighty power. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20).
When the enemy tries to drag us along in the disappointments of our children, stand courageously on the foundation of Jesus. Don’t allow the current situation to tempt with despair. Stand tall in his strength and embrace the hope God has provided.
Embrace love.
See hope.
Have faith.
