Ep 20: Parenting the One in the Midst of Many
How do we parent our children well and help them to discern their paths especially when there are more than one of them? In this episode we dive into the struggles of raising children who feel seen, heard, and appreciated for their unique identity and talents. It is possible to do this in a relaxed and joyful way!
In This Episode We Discuss:
Identity.
Parental stamina.
Purpose.
The concept of equal yet different.
How to not stress about time.
How to foster a home culture of celebrating individual achievements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Proverbs 22:6
Hebrews 10:36
Psalm 91
Psalm 119
Ephesians 2:10
John 1:12
2 Cor 5:17
Galatians 3:27-29
Isaiah 43:1
DECLARATIONS
God, You are a fountain of stamina, endurance, energy and positivity. You’re capable of speaking to me AND each of my kids about our very specific purposes and gifts. I don’t pretend to know or understand how You’re going to use us in order to display Your wonders or Your character and love, but we are at Your service. You are creative and artistic, You are mathematics, science, language, time, invention, ingenuity, flexibility, sound and beyond. You created things we as human beings haven’t even invented yet, so we don’t assume anything about the ways in which You choose to create and use us in order to release splendour and peace.
I am unafraid of the different ways in which my kids communicate, process, explore or experiment. They are Yours and Yours alone. I receive with gladness and joy each one of my kids just like You recieve me with all of my flaws and screw ups...You think I’m a treasure. I will choose to see each of my kids the way You see all of us. You see beauty, possibility, fruit and adventure. I attach my mind to Yours for my kids.
God, You’ve created me to be utterly capable of parenting each of the kids You’ve put in my family beautifully. You’re a parent who patiently explains and demonstrates how to be more like You every day with no stress. As a result of Your parenting, I become a case by case, minute by minute Peacemaker, Leader, Nurturer and example of Strong, Compassionate, Mature Humanity.
I forgive myself where I’ve thrown in the towel or been a jerk, Jesus. You see me at my worst and Your heart is still overflowing with LOVE and sweetness towards me. I open to Your beautiful humility in order to be able to ask for forgiveness from any family members I may have hurt with my words or actions. I receive the hands, voice, touch, thoughts and heart of Jesus for each one of my kids and for my partner right now. Give me the words to make things right. For them and for myself.
I believe in my own purpose in and for my own life. Where I carry wounding or fear, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would flood those places and route out things that aren’t of You. Take up even more real estate inside of me, Jesus, and help me to inhabit and interpret my life and my time here triumphantly.
I refuse to hold onto the concept of ‘wasted time’ any longer. You use all of my story in order to speak into the corners and the tiny places. To speak to the ones who struggle with the same stuff. You’re strongest where we’re at our weakest, and You don’t cringe, leave, avert Your eyes, shake Your head, think poorly of us or turn Your back. You use all of our foibles and messes to create the masterpiece of our lives. You do it for me, for my partner, and for each and every one of my kids. Again, I speak deliverance over myself from all condemnation, fear, guilt, inertia or feelings of insignificance, in Jesus’ Name.