Numerous times I have been speaking to my boys and I “feel” a tap on my shoulder. I know what I said to them was actually the Lord speaking to me. He is the perfect parent, so it makes sense that He would use our parenting to instruct us as well.
Examples
“You are expecting it to do something it was not made to do.”
To my children: Several years ago I said this to my oldest child when he was getting frustrated with a toy.
To me: The Lord was telling me that I had been expecting more out of my child than he was able to do at that time. I still hear this. Now it is in the context that I am expecting my children to be someone other than who they were created to be.
“You can trust what I say. Because I love you, I will keep my word.”
To my children: This was just this past week. My 4 year old was throwing a fit (again) and I told him there would be a consequence if he didn’t stop. He stopped for a while, but then decided to test me. So I had to follow through. Which resulted in lots of crying and then lots of hugs.
To me: Whether or not it is what I want to hear, I know I can trust the Lord. Because He loves me, He will keep His Word.
“Doing your best is all that matters.”
To my children: Both of my boys get frustrated with themselves when they make mistakes and want to give up when learning something new.
To me: Often my own best doesn’t feel good enough. I think I need to be more and do more. Thankfully this is not truth.
“There is nothing you can do or not do that will make me love you more or love you less. I love you fiercely.”
To my children: My oldest was upset he didn’t pass the swim test, and was scared to try again. He actually asked me what I would do to him if he didn’t pass. Gasp. My heart broke.
To me: I struggle with trying to impress others to gain approval. Thankfully there is nothing I can do to change how much the Lord loves me. This is a beautiful thing.
“I am not disappointed in you, I am disappointed for you.”
To my children: This was also after he didn’t pass the swim test. I was still trying to confirm that it was alright. He absolutely had the skill and ability to pass the test, but it had become a mental battle for him. I wanted him to experience the confidence and satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something he had been working so hard to achieve.
To me: When I mess up (said something rude, lost my temper, been critical, etc.) I feel so ashamed and want to beat myself up for it. The Lord was gently whispering in my ear that I am not a disappointment. But I have done some disappointing things.
“Don’t make it a bigger deal than it needs to be. That’s called being dramatic.”
To my children and me: Umm, yeah. Pretty much my entire life right here.
“Don’t get frustrated. Just try again.”
To my children: My four year old gets frustrated so easily. He tries to draw the letter “A” and starts crying because the lines are crooked. It takes a lot of encouraging from the whole family to get him through it.
To me: I do this too. I love starting things, but get discouraged when it doesn’t come easily to me. So I usually end up starting and then stopping. And then starting and then stopping. And then… Thankfully I am also surrounded by encouraging people that help me through these times.
Final Thought
As you are in the day to day grind be aware of the moments the Lord is using your own voice to teach you.
There is one more I want to share with you. This was not from me, but what a friend said to her daughter. It was a punch in my gut, and something I desperately needed to hear.
“You are beautiful just the way you are.”
Oh dear mommas, please hear this, “You are beautiful just the way you are!”
xoxo