What I Would Do Differently, Part 1

“. . . I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. It was actually quite relaxing.”

Wow. That statement stopped me in my tracks.

The words are from Paul Miller’s book, A Praying Life. They are quoted in a book I’ve been working my way through over the last few weeks, Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, by Elyse Fitzpatrick and her daughter, Jessica Thompson.

How often have I stepped in and tried to play the role of Holy Spirit in the lives of others – especially in the lives of my children — when I should have been praying?

Who do I think I am? If I can’t change my own heart (and I can’t), I’m certainly not going to succeed in changing my children’s hearts.

Far too many times I rely on my own “wisdom” instead acknowledging from the get-go that God is the one doing the work in the lives of every sinner under our roof – me included.

Far too often I tend to think it’s all up to me. If I just do this right, everyone will turn out right, so I’d better jump into action.

Far too often I wait until I’m desperate before I wake up to the fact that there’s nothing I can do but rely on my Lord. Then I remember to pray.

What is one thing I would do differently if I were starting over in this glorious job of motherhood?

I would try, by God’s grace, to pray a whole lot more and say a whole lot less. I can still, by God’s grace, do it differently today. I can again confess, repent, be forgiven, and move on in the power of the Holy Spirit. I can interact with the members of my family in a constant state of dependence and prayer, asking God to work in me and through me, and resting in the fact that He will accomplish His will in spite of me.

It’s His job, not mine, to change hearts.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began  a good work in you  will bring it to completion at  the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

 

 

(Photo from Shutterstock.com)

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