Well, first.
I have some little ones who are giving me a pretty hard time this week. Really bad, disobedient and angry attitudes, lots of tattle-tailing. I have been praying and seeking the Lord. Late one night, while I was awake, I was thinking of one in particular and asking the LORD what to do. I remembered a verse in Jeremiah 10:21 "For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD....". This really fits in this week with the book study that we are doing over at Jills, Praying The Names Of God.
We are studying the name of the LORD, Yahweh Roi, The LORD Is My Shepherd. I want to be wise and "inquire of the LORD" in all areas, but especially as Steve and I shepherd our family. My prayer this week is to faithfully shepherd my children, and I know that I cannot do this without the counsel of the LORD.
By the way this child is not one of my "hard" ones this week, I just thought it was really cute. Anyway, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible is in Ezekiel 34, especially verses 15-16 "I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the LORD GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice." So that night when I prayed for my little one, what did I hear...that my little sheep will stray, and I must bring them back to what is right with patience and kindness. One of the sins of the faithless shepherds in Ezekiel 34:4 is force and harshness "The weak you have not strengthened , the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them."
And now second,
Mom met with her Dr. this morning about her leg. She needs to meet with another Dr. next week. Without going into all the details, please pray. Right now, they are not sure which surgery will be best and not sure that either of them will completely give her back full use of her leg. Let's pray that our Shepherd would strengthen what is weak, and bind up what is injured and that complete recovery of her leg would happen for HIS GLORY.
She's got a lot of little ones to keep up with after all. And as she would say, "The LORD be glorified in ALL things!"
I don't know why I think I can raise my kids on my own. Praying is usually a last resort when it comes to behavioral issues and it should be first. Thank you for the reminder! Your children are blessed to havea such a godly mom!
ReplyDeletepraying for strength for you and healing for your mom. :))
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement...Those two verses in Ezekiel were so uplifting to me. The Lord is our Shepherd and He cares for every little detail. Not just some, but EVERY little detail!
ReplyDeletePraying for your momma too =)
Blessings,
Josh
Just thinking ... some of what your children may be going through may be connected to figuring out the "new normal" without Kalyn at home. I know that she is a BIG part of your little one's lives. Not excusing the behavior. But, my children have acted similarly to the "loss" of their Big Brothers & Sisters.
ReplyDeleteLoved the scriptures you shared! Oh how we must seek the Lord to show us how to parent each individual child.
Hugs! Hope your weekend is BLESSED!!!
Laurel :)
praying for you and knowing the job before you! trusting God to be all things for you and give you the grace you need to get through these challenging moments!
ReplyDeletepraying for your mom!
love you,
jill
ps africa is sure sounding amazing - right?
praying for your entire family - and the the little ones may find peace and will chill! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure is wonderful that we can ask the Lord for help with parenting - I know there's no way I could do it without His strength.
ReplyDeleteWill pray for your mum - that God will guide the drs & her in the right decision.
Have a lovely weekend Shonni
God bless
Renata:)
I just love your Mom! Well, I love all Mom's but your seems to radiate joy!!
ReplyDeleteI will pray for her!!
Great post- hit home here! I have been busy preparing for China and not being peaceful. Look forward to talking a deep breath and spending great family time with all our girls and olders! The busier I get the more tattling, crankiness, etc., I see in them. Thanks for the scripture- I needed it!!
God Bless you!
oh this was a wonderful post to read first thing this morning! I need to be a better Shepherd....
ReplyDeleteI love Ezekiel 34 too. Thanks for the reminder to shepherd our kids and ask for God to give us the wisdom we need to do the job. :) Sometimes I get too frustrated to remember to ask!
ReplyDelete