Seeking God in your Parenting
Psalm 139: 1-4, John 14:6, Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 4:29, Galatians 6:9
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[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Do you worry that you’re not doing a good enough job as a parent? Are you anxious about the effects of frequent changes and moves of military life on your kids? Are you exhausted by the unique challenges of parenting in military life?
Parenting is God’s training ground for our own spiritual growth and maturity. We all face challenges, frustrations, and fears when it comes to parenting. Through trials and triumphs, God molds our hearts and builds our faith.
We want to be the best parents we can be. The trouble is sometimes we don’t always know what to do.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]
Lord, You have searched me and known me…You scrutinize my path and
my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139:1, 3
This familiar passage applies to both parents and children.
Mom, God knows you completely. He knows the desire of your heart to raise your children well. He knows how much you love your kids. And he knows exactly what provokes frustration or fear in your mama’s heart.
Who better to rely on in parenting that the God who created you with a beautiful design?
Seeking God enables us to become the parents God desires us to be.
God understands your children far better than you do. He understands why they do what they do and think what they think. He knows every nuance of their personality.
Who better to show us how to raise our kids?
When I seek God in my parenting I often pray,” Lord you know what my child’s needs. I ask you to do what is best. Show me how to pray for my child now.”
Seeking God in our parenting enables us to parent according to His design for our family. We are not left on our own to somehow manufacture the wisdom, heart, and strength for Godly parenting.
Think about it:
1. What practical ways can you seek God in your parenting?
2. How has parenting been God’s training ground to develop your character and faith?
3. What parenting need or challenge are you currently facing? What difference can seeking God in this situation make?
Daily Reflections:
Day 1: Read John 14:6
In every relationship, challenge, and need, Christ is our way, our truth, and our life. We become the parents God desires for us to be when we learn to rely on Him completely. Are you parenting out of the life of Christ in you or out of your own ideas, habits, and tendencies? Though we often search for parenting formulas, God points us to a relationship rather than a method. To what extent are you trusting Christ to help you understand and apply His truth to your parenting? Ask God to show you about how this verse applies to a current challenge you face with your child. Write down any ideas He brings to mind as you consider how Christ is the way, the truth, and the life…even in this specific situation.
Day 2: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Love God first, be a parent second. Loving God with all heart, soul, and strength enables us to love our children appropriately. Don’t let your world center around your kids. Loving God wholeheartedly is the best foundation for God-centered parenting. Are you a God-centered or a child-centered parent? Confess your love for God and ask Him help you love him wholeheartedly. Understand that loving God empowers you to love others well. The most important thing we can teach our children is to love God wholeheartedly. How can your love for God become a natural part of your parenting? What ways can you teach your children the wonder of loving God? Consider one way you can teach your children to love God with heart, soul, and strength. Be on the lookout for opportunities to talk about loving God in the little moments of your day. Choose a particular time or daily routine to remind you to pray for your child’s heart for God.
Day 3: Read Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust God with your parenting. When we seek God as a parent, He shows us the right way and the best decisions. And yet, straight paths in parenting include more than directions and decisions. Our path is our way, including how we think and respond. When God makes our paths straight he begins with the heart and works outward.
· What current aspect of parenting makes it hard to trust God?
· As a parent, are you trusting God with your whole heart, or is it a 50/50 ratio?
· How can trusting God change your perspective, emotions, and actions in parenting?
Look up the definition of trust, understanding, paths, and straight. What is God showing you through this verse today? Write down your thoughts and purpose to apply them in your parenting this week.
Day 4: Read Ephesians 4:29
Our words can be a powerful blessing to our kids. The choice is ours. This is a great verse to teach our children, but it is a great verse for us as well. Our words matter.
“Do not let” points to a decision, a choice. How does unwholesome talk show up in your parenting? Does it sneak into your words, tone, or body language? If it is not helpful for building up your child, you may not need to say it.
Wholesome talk includes teaching, encouraging, loving, and correcting. Ask the following questions to filter your words:
· Is this helpful?
· Will it build up my child?
· Will it meet a need?
· Is it beneficial?
Heart check: Mom, how’s it going? How would you rate the purity of your speech? Are you building up or tearing down with the words and tone you use? What situations unleash harsh or critical words? Ask God to make you sensitive to the power of your words. Rely on His ability to speak through you to plant life-giving words in your child’s heart. Trust Him to help you in any areas of struggle.
Day 5: Read Galatians 6:9
Let God encourage you. Parenting can be exhausting physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Children grow in small steps and maturity can seem like it will never happen. It’s easy to react to “not yet” as if it is “not ever.” Seeking God in our parenting gives us strength and energy. Weary mom, don’t give up. Your harvest is coming, and that’s a promise. What kind of weariness are you currently experiencing in your parenting—mental, physical, or emotional? How do you respond to weariness? Are your emotions hindering your parenting? Choose to view a current challenge with faith rather than discouragement. Believe God’s promise as you thank God for the harvest that is coming in your child’s life. Ask God to encourage you, and watch to see what He does next. What is the most important concept God has shown you about your parenting in this study?[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10px” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Welcome to Monday Minute With God. A place to start the week right and tools to keep you in the Word all week long.
This month we will spend time reflecting on hearing God’s Guidance in four main areas:[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]This week’s author: Ginger Harrington
Writer, speaker,military wife, mom, encourager. You can find her here www.gingerharrington.com![/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Work/Ministry/Marriage/Parenting
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