Father Knows Best

My phone hasn’t stopped ringing this week with calls and texts from my each of my three children. They’re all adults now, in their 20s and 30s. Most of the time they just want to vent, so I try to listen – not lecture. But many of the calls have been from two of my children tattling on their other sibling with opinions about poor decisions this sibling is making. Those calls aren’t as easy to listen to.

As a parent I want to be supportive and compassionate, but sometimes I’d like to turn my phone off and ignore them. Some days I just want them to grow up and solve their own problems.

For the most part they’re fully functioning, morally upright human beings with a good grasp of right and wrong. Sometimes though, they still act and behave like toddlers.

God, in His infinite wisdom, always manages to compare my parenting skills with my personal relationship with Him, the Lord of the Universe.

Whenever I’m fed up with my kids and ready to sever my responsibilities as a parent…God gives me a gentle nudge. He lovingly reminds me that in my many years of walking with Him, He has never disowned me; even though I’ve given Him ample reason to.

God reminds me that whenever I come to Him on bended knee with an insignificant worry or problem, He never sends me away and tells me my problems are so little they don’t qualify as real problems. My worries matter to God, because I matter to God.

He always answers when I call; He is never tempted to sever His responsibilities towards me. He won’t give up on me because I’m being difficult or opinionated. God loves me unconditionally. He won’t quit on me.

God reminds me that my kids deserve as much from me – unconditional love, support and a promise to always answer the phone because God hand-picked these children for me. He knew these three strong-willed, opinionated, amazing people needed me as their mother – and He knew I needed them.

Parenting is a tough job, but my kids matter to God and I matter to God and in the end…our Father Knows Best!

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy Kurlin
Author
www.kathleenkurlin.com

Does God Want Us To Be Happy?

You’ve got a crazy schedule, your job is demanding and you haven’t gotten a raise in a long time, or, you lost your job unexpectedly, your parents are driving you up a wall, your husband can’t seem to help around the house, your kids are wearing you out…and you’re supposed to be happy?

God has given us an example and words to live by. “Study the Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command-be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:8-9

Joshua lived through slavery, supernatural plagues, he saw the Red Sea open miraculously for the people of Israel, was a war hero, and went to the top of the mountain with Moses where the law was revealed. In comparison to your life, you aren’t a slave but your job and family may be demanding. Supernatural plagues don’t happen but your children test the boundaries with you. You may not be a war hero but you do help others when you can. Joshua trusted God all through his life and he was prosperous. Not wealthy but prosperous. His life honored God.

God does not want us to be depressed. He wants us to be happy so we have the energy to be strong loving women of God. When we prosper we are successful and happy. You can be a faithful woman of God by putting Him at the top of the list of each day. Each day may bring its special challenges but knowing God’s Word in your heart will ease the stress. Don’t worry. Be prosperous.

Sherree Fischer

loveSTRONG ministries

Speaker/Facilitator Team Leader

www.lovestrongministries.com