I found myself crying as I prayed the prayer written at the end of this chapter. It gave me hope, it gave me a strategy, it gave me a prayer and it spoke to my heart!
“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains about your neck” ~ Proverbs 1:8-9
I know that I mentioned it in my thoughts about the last chapter, but our oldest son is moody and facing some turbulent thoughts and feelings right now. I do my best and sometimes feel desperate for him to “straighten up”. It is a heart thing. I cannot worry, fret or fear . . . I MUST pray, trust and encourage!
As parents I would venture to say that keeping rebellion and disobedience under control is the focus of much of every day for me. Teaching, instructing, guiding and ever steering them away from the temptation to disobey us. As our oldest has progressed through the tween years though I realize that he truly does know the “right” way and has a choice to make. The choice is really only his, I cannot make it for him, but I can pray! Instead of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and despairing over what he does. Taking it before God and trusting He who created my son and loves my son more than even I do is the only one that can touch my son’s heart and mind and fill it with the truth!
I can trust in God’s perfect will and plan for my sons’ lives and it is high time I remembered that daily and brought it before Him instead of taking it on for myself!
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” ~Luke
10:19
Do you struggle with the disobedience of your children? Have you been able to give it to Him? What touched you in this chapter?
I am not an active blogger but your thoughts spoke to me. Our son is 11. He started middle school this year and I’ve just recently started noticing changes in him. He has always been such a tender little boy. Always listening and very caring towards his little sister. But just recently I’m realizing that he is growing up and he is not that little boy anymore. My prayer is that as my husband and I teach and nurture him, that he will obey us out of respect and love and not fear. Not because he doesnt want to get in trouble but because he wants to honor his parents and God. So I totally understand your concerns and wanted to hopefully encourage you to keep praying for your boys knowing that God has a plan for their lives, continue to rest in this knowledge.