Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
—2 Timothy 2:23
Tears flow. Heart pounds. Mind races. Slamming her bedroom door sends a shockwave of emotion through her body. Crumpling to the floor, she wonders how much longer she can take it. The dissension invading their relationship consumes her every thought. She cries out to God, “Lord, why is mom so stubborn and unreasonable? I can’t wait until I’m old enough to get out of here!”
On the other side of the door, the mama weeps. She feels the pain like a dagger to her heart, and she wonders what went wrong. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect such ongoing motherdaughter
battles.
Thoughts drift back sixteen years, when the joy of her life entered the world. Sweet memories forever embedded in the depths of her heart. A flashback of singing, “Jesus Loves Me” while rocking her baby girl enters her mind— Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones... Tears pool.
Past prayers replay over and over in her mind. Seems like yesterday. Humbly, she cries out, “Oh Lord, what is happening to us? We desperately need you to mend our tattered relationship. Please, God…” This heartache exceeds the pain of childbirth. In slow motion she raises her hands, releasing it all to Jesus.
Think about it. On either side of the door are two females—one the mother, the other the daughter. Both simultaneously cry out to God, pleading for Him to answer. But the basis of their prayers doesn’t line up. One prayer stems from selfishness, the other from disappointment. How does God handle this? How does He work it for His glory? His grace and mercy go beyond our understanding.
Carefully read Galatians 5:16, Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Thankfully, God used this powerful verse to impact my life at an early age. I realized the more we allow selfishness into our lives, the more misery we experience. Selfishness breeds selfishness. In time this leads to disappointment, gloom, and sorrow.
Teaching our children as early as possibly to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh is vital. Human nature desires self-gratification. A mom does not have to teach her two year old to say “no” or “mine.” It comes naturally. But, training him to share a toy takes time, discipline, and direction. Continually sharing God’s Word with our children opens the door for them to understand God’s love, grace, and mercy.
Praying for our children to grasp this truth is the key. We are called as parents and grandparents to share scripture with our children and grandchildren. We must be their examples of living it out daily
in our own lives, just like my grandmama and her prayer chair!
Oh, parenting is the most difficult, yet most rewarding job. I am not sure I grasped this until experiencing it in my own life. Now, in my empty nest season, I see in the rearview mirror a clearer picture. The parent-child relationship reflects my relationship with God.
How many times have I disappointed Him through my selfish desires? Does His heart skip a beat when I tell Him how much I love Him? Does He smile when I call upon Him just to talk? The more “seasoned” I become, the more I desire a living, walking, breathing relationship with Him every moment of every day!
PRAYER CHALLENGE
Have you experienced heartache within the walls of your home? Oh my, the Lord has an answer. Read 2 Timothy 2: 20-26. Be encouraged. God’s Word has all the answers. Seek Jesus daily in everything. Ask Him to mend any relationships in need of repair. Humble yourself before the Lord and confess your responsibility in the broken relationship. Give God access to work His miracles in and through the situation.
