Stay the Course...

I love it when all my girls are home and happy. When life is just a picture perfect moment. When things are actually as serene as the pictures we take. When everyone is getting along. When there are no bumps in the road or angry emotions involved or discipline decisions to make. When life is a Norman Rockwell postcard. Oh, if only.


Unfortunately, that rarely happens. Especially with three girls and all the emotions. The drama that is lurking around the corner. The boys and the friends and the sports and the commitments constantly fighting for their attention. We can all dress up and create the perfect family picture but there is always something that isn't so picture perfect. Do we recognize that as parents or do we put so much emphasis on attaining that picture that we lose focus?


I have been asking God a lot lately about what it means to truly stand in the gap for my children and for my family. To stay the course as a mom. The world tells us that we should look like our teenagers. That we should think like them to be the cool mom. That we should make sure that they like us. That we should provide a home that has all the cool games and kid spaces and teenage hangouts. But I think that God says, just provide them with Me.


Don't get me wrong; I am all about being relevant in our children's world. About understanding their environment and their language and their pressures. But I think sometimes by doing that we get caught off guard when the parent role is required. We are not their peer group. We are not their hangout buddies. I would dare to say that we are not even their best friends. We are their parents.


As I was praying about staying the course this morning, the Lord reminded me that He stays the course with me. Even when I can't see the plan or don't like the answer, He stays the course. As long as things are great with me spiritually, then I trust Him. I praise Him. But when things aren't so fun, I start to complain and whine. Isn't that what our kids do? They lash out or they yell or they cry because things aren't going their way. We don't like it when they mess up the picture. Especially if it stays messed up for a long time.


But it is our job to stay the course. Sometimes the tough decisions have to be made. Sometimes the truth must be told, in love, but told boldly. Sometimes the boundaries must be enforced. Sometimes the picture isn't so perfect for a while. It isn't fun or happy. But it is so necessary to stay the course.


Parenting is a learning experience. It is evolving and changing. But the goal stays the same. I want to parent on my knees. Standing firmly in the promises I know He has given me concerning them. Refusing to be swayed by the world or the enemy. Planted firmly in His Truth. Believing for as long as it takes. Loving well through it all. And waiting patiently for that picture perfect moment to come again.


One thing I want my girls to remember about their childhood is that their mom stayed the course. Thank goodness I have an Example to follow. Thank goodness that when I mess up or veer off, He never leaves me or forsakes me. Thank goodness that He loves me enough to continue to teach me and to exhort me and to admonish me. Thank goodness He stays the course.

You're blessed when you stay on course, 

walking steadily on the road revealed by God. 

You're blessed when you follow His directions,

 doing your best to find Him. That's right - 

you don't go off on your own; you walk straight 

along the road He set. You, God, prescribed 

the right way to live; now You expect us to live it. 

Oh, that my steps might be steady, 

keeping to the course You set. 

Psalm 119:1-6 the message