“Lord???” – The Prayer of a Parent
By: Donna Haug
October 12, 2003
Lord, after half an hour of sitting in the truck with three rather grumpy, tired children, I was not at all prepared to deal with that big lump of a dog! When he jumped all over my little guy, knocking him over and chewing on his hand in exhuberant greeting, I felt like clobbering him. Like I don’t have enough discipline issues to deal with, I needed to add a 70 lb. full grown rotweiller with a puppy heart into the equation!
It really overwhelms me at times, Father. None of my high school or college education prepared me for dealing with those nagging issues like “She keeps humming and it bothers me!” or “I got here first!” or “But Mom, do we have to?” And then, Lord, some well intentioned person comes along and encourages me by saying, “Small children – small problems. Big children – big problems. Just wait till they get older!” Great!
Lord, the task of raising children is the most important job you will ever give me. But there are times when I feel so inadequate. Sometimes I wonder if I do anything right. Father, can you take my bumbling attempts at parenthood and produce in the end three responsible grown-ups who love the Lord with all their hearts and who commit their lives to serving you? That is my goal, but I often fall short of what I feel is necessary to achieve that goal.
You have reminded me today, Lord, that You are UTTERLY trust-worthy and faithful. Renew my faith in You today and in Your power to take the work that You’ve begun and bring it to completion, both in me and in my children. Give me strength to be consistent. Give me understanding and compassion when they test my patience. Give me wisdom and insight to deal with discipline issues. Help me to live out a passion for You in my daily life that will cause them to long for You.
For today, I will decide to trust in You, my Heavenly Father, to train Your children, both large and small, to follow You. Teach us, discipline us and make us more like You!
And as for that ‘monster truck’ we call a dog … ‘Lord, give me patience … but I need it NOW!’
*Sigh* I need You, Father, and I will rest in You!
AMEN!
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Donna, as always, wonderful message. As for those well intentioned people who say "small children, small problems. Big children, big problems", don't you believe it. I've got "big" children (well, teenagers at any rate) and they are a joy and delight. Every age brings its own problems, but the blessings really do outweigh by a long shot. With love, Deb
Psalm 37 v 4 "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." There's no prizes in knowing the desires of your heart. Just keep on owing the good seed in word and deeds. Great use of daily situations to challenge and inspire others.
Davy
