Surrendering to God as we parent and influence
Yesterday’s podcast really brought to life the concept that often we walk through unexpected seasons in life.
Like the changing, starry fire in the night sky, so do the parenting patterns change across the years.
I loved how our guest from www.liturgiesforparents.com, Kayla Craig, reminded us of just how hard but also important it is to connect with God and to stay connected with God every day.
Connecting with God is something that we often know, but decide not to do out of just haphazard busyness or being dysregulated and disconnected!
Yet, when it feels like life is beating us down, it’s what we need most.
In other words, your time with God matters greatly.
When you take time to connect on a spiritual level, your defense mechanisms go down and you are much less likely to strain into stress unnecessarily.
Feeling the stress in this season? Consider reaching out to a friend or finding a coach for support!
In order to make sure your window of tolerance stays nice and open this week while you’re likely going and lighting beautiful paths for others, make sure you take some time for this space.
1. Reading redemptive passages
2. Reflecting on these passages
3. Sharing a moment of quiet
4. Taking a deep breath as you release to God (many times a day, most likely).
5. Listening to God
6. Feel free to read this prayer with me - it’s a different one than the one I shared yesterday and this one also really spoke to me. I read it in my head but you may even want to read it aloud. So many have been blessed by these words, and so many will be as Kayla launches this book today! I hope you are among that number, my friend. I know I am! I lean into these prayers with you as we surrender to God!
(It’s an excerpt from “A Prayer for Fall” in Every Season Sacred)
God, we ask You to guide us
In this ever-changing world.
Be our compass as winds change.
Direct us as we sit in the dusk
And marvel at Your mystery.
In the demands of family life,
Help us rest in You.
Soothe our discontent
And stoke the fires of our hearts
So we may be a soft place
For our children to return to
When the day grows dark.
May our children
Know now & forevermore
That no matter what
The day brings,
Our arms are always ready
To embrace them
And welcome them home
As the air around us
Grows cooler,
Help us to create
Dwelling places
That are warm & welcoming
So that our neighbors,
As well as our children,
Will know that their
Presence is wanted.
Help us to be a family that notices
The seemingly small
So we might be better attuned
To receive the big changes
You have for us too.
