I wish you could tell me what you need.
Especially in the middle of the nigh
t, many times this was my thought when one of our babies cried and could not be soothed. I yearned to comfort them, to make it all better. Sometimes I would pray, “God, please help. You know what it is. Comfort him or show me what to do.” … Wish I’d done that more often. Probably would have logged a lot more hours of sleep.
“But in my distress I cried out
to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” (Ps 18.6)
Babies cry in response to how they feel in the moment . . .
I’m wet.
I’m hungry.
Something inside or on my body really hurts.
As our children grow, we teach them to communicate their needs and frustrations to us.Sometimes our children came to me; sometimes they went to Terrell. Other times they obviously felt that physically expressing their frustration ONTO their sibling would be more effective. Can’t say that I was ever shocked because my brothers and I did the same thing.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Ps 34.17)
When our kids are young – or at any age – we can share a priceless gift with them. We can give them the perfect means to help them in all relationships and life struggles.
We can teach them to first take their frustrations to God. To look to Him for comfort and direction.
Now here’s the irony. THE VERY THING I WANT MY CHILDREN TO DO … I STRUGGLE TO DO.
Too often I react ONTO my children or my husband because I haven’t first cried out to God – the One who knows my struggle and has the resolution.
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.” (Psalm 119.147)
We can teach our children the things we’re still learning.
And, we can acknowledge we are lifelong disciples—as we make disciples.
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