Resting in His Peace

As I continue to learn about rest, the Lord continues to remind me of His character. I think sometimes we get so caught up in the stuff of live that we forget who God really is. We forget that He is the same as He was yesterday. He will be the same today and tomorrow He will not change. There is peace in that knowledge.


One of the things that can get me anxious faster than anything is worrying about one of my girls. I think as moms we have this vision in our heads of what we think our children should look like, act like and talk like. We often put that expectation on them without even realizing that we are doing it. As my girls get older, I find myself having to be very intentional to not assume or expect or want them to be a certain way. They are who they were created to be. When I allow them to be that person, then I allow them to live in that freedom.


I talked to a friend last night that is dealing with a rebellious spirit in her child. She too has three girls and is struggling with the fact that her sweet daughter is so different than the other two. She knows her heart and knows that she is desperately seeking attention from her behavior but the everyday shaping, molding and disciplining is beginning to wear on mom and dad. In the heat of the battle it is so hard to trust God's character.


I am learning that trusting God in my girl's lives is a lot harder than trusting Him in my own. I am learning to move up alongside my oldest who is about to become a wife. It takes intentional thoughts and words to affirm her as a friend and begin to let go of the authority of a mom. It actually hurts a little to cut the apron strings. But God is faithful.


I am learning to watch quietly as my middle daughter makes decisions about her future both in school and in her personal life. She is strong-willed and does not seek advice freely. As a young adult seeking her own way, I have to be intentional in my timing and in my words of advice. She actually has a great plan and will probably do everything on her bucket list before she is 30. She has great dreams and He has her heart so it should be fun to watch. From the sidelines. But I trust Him.


My youngest is in that stage where she is spreading her wings. She has a solid friend base and is learning where she fits and what she wants to do. I am again learning to be intentional with my suggestions and with my molding. She is different than her sisters. She has a lot of experiential knowledge from watching the other two. She has a mind of her own and is beginning to stretch out in her opinion and thoughts. We are loving having her home alone this year. I have the opportunity once again to model and share life with another daughter. Such a blessing. God is so good.


I am learning to rest in the peace that passes all understanding. That place where you know that He has a plan. That feeling of calm no matter what the world is telling you or your eyes are seeing or the enemy is whispering in your ear. That gap that you stand firmly in for your children knowing that He hears our cries and our hearts. I will rest in that gap for as long as I have breath to intercede for my girls. He meets me there. Every single time.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, 

which transcends all understanding 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 4:6-7.