Gotta love you young parents. It does my old gizzard good to see so many young families on Sunday at church. You are building the future of the church and of America. Thank you.
I know you’re overwhelmed. We remember those days well, raising 14 children on a blue-collar income. Never an easy day. If you asked me for advice, I would say this: Embrace the overwhelm. Yes, I know you never feel like you’re caught up. You’re not. You can’t. You won’t.
And you’ll never feel adequate as a parent. At least, I’ve never met a parent who claimed to be. The overwhelm is normal, natural and a daily reminder that you need God to carry the load. He’ll still be there for them after you’re gone and He loves them even more than you do right now.
So rest in Him. Through the midnight sessions with the colicky baby, through the endless loads of laundry, through the difficulties of pregnancy and birth. Trust that the God who made your child can carry the load that you can’t. Embrace the overwhelm. It’s God’s way of reminding you that He’s working in the lives of your children to do the things you can’t do for them.
He has big plans for those little mess-makers around your table. And the day will come when, like me, you’ll miss the thrill of a toddler climbing into your lap wanting to cuddle.
So for now, through the confusion and the exhaustion and the constant feeling of inadequacy, embrace the overwhelm and rejoice that your children have a heavenly Father to take up your slack.
Forgive yourself for being human and enjoy the ride. And from those of us who went before, be encouraged. And thank you for making the world a better place.
_______________________
Originally posted on Facebook, Rick Boyer’s reflections are reprinted here with his permission and blessing.
Recent Comments