Thinking back over the last year, I’ve had countless conversations with my 7 year old about mask mandates, the conflict in our culture, loving others we disagree with, trusting God and having peace during uncertain times. We’ve always tried to be open with our children about life and faith in age appropriate ways, but these kinds of talks have been back to back in recent as she’s attempted to make sense of the changing world around her.
Initially, it revealed to me the limits of my own comfort zone and I was hesitant to dive deep into these topics with her, assuming she may not be quite ready for the weight of these conversations. The weight of the past year has been heavy for us to carry and process as adults, hasn’t it?
If you’re anything like me, you may feel the emotional fatigue yourself from trying to adjust to all the newfound challenges, all the while parenting well and being available to help your children adjust as well. It’s been a lot. If you find yourself relating, be encouraged, mom. A listening ear and praying heart is the best foundation to help your child. Christ in our sure hope and in Him, we have what we need to live with confidence and joy and help our children do the same.
When life as we all knew it changed so quickly, I’m sure I fumbled over my words with my youngest daughter trying to keep it simple and reassure her fears. I imagine if you and I could talk, you’d share similar stories of working your way through these heavy conversations with your kids, too. Then God reminded me of a place in the Bible where he gives instruction about how to talk to our kids about spiritual matters.
“…Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder, inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6 – 9
Friends, God’s using the uncertainty in our culture to bring about these conversations that He desires we have with our children. Let that give us all hope! What Satan is intending for evil, God is using for good.
Yes, we’re talking through tough topics that are causing fear around us and could seem scary to a child. Yes, there’s examples of sin we can’t avoid. Do you know what else we’re doing? We’re unpacking spiritual truths at a pace and in a way I’m sure we wouldn’t have, had life stayed status quo. We’re revealing who God is with each conversation. We’re explaining, and I pray we’re demonstrating, God’s our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10), our solid rock (1 Sam. 2:2), our source of hope and strength and we can have peace and purpose in hard times. (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 28:7)
As Christian moms, we’re raising children in a season where spiritual battles are no longer hidden. It can be sad and discouraging, and we can get stuck missing the good ole days. Or we can ask God to help us see it through His eyes and be filled with hope and certainty in a trustworthy, loving God. God chose each of our children to be born in this time in history and He’s able to equip them for mighty things. He needs us to stick with it and, according to the verses in Deuteronomy I mentioned above, just keep talking. We’re raising up a generation of strong children who are learning first hand the immoveable character of God in the face of it all. They’ll be stronger in the faith because of it. So will we, friends. And that, friends, is worth celebrating.
“And I call this to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-26
Let’s not grow weary. Let’s press on, with truth and love. There is great hope and great purpose in this season. Let’s be living proof of a faithful, loving God who is still in control!
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