God Is With Us
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. -Psalm 59:16
Control is a confusing issue for moms. We are supposed to determine limits, bedtimes, and portions, and teach character, academics, and hygiene. But even while holding tightly to the things we manage, we need to acknowledge the Great Manager and remember He is always there and in ultimate control.
God is in control even in the dark moments in rocking chairs and on bathroom floors and, yes, in playground mulch. And in even darker moments in exam rooms and funeral homes. We grapple with reacting in crisis, soothing our children, changing unpleasant realities, and maybe even who to blame. Recognizing God's presence in the decidedly undramatic times helps us cling to God when life hits those inevitable spiritual potholes. "The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14).
People have always faced the question of how big God is in their own lies. Moses wasn't sure he had what it took to lead his people to the Promised Land (see Exodus 3:11). David's people faced a standoff with the Philistines, but only this eighth-born boy had the courage - or perhaps, the faith - to face the imposing Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17). Job's wealth, children, and physical health were taken in Satan's attempt to get him to curse God.
"The Lord said, 'Everything under heaven belongs to me'" (Job 41:11). And Job, asking many, many questions, hung on: "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).
Some of us moms are more controlling than others, but I think having children makes it even harder for all of us to live blind to what life will hold. We want so much for our little people - health, joy, security - that when those plans are upended, even a slight bend in the road can feel like a severe and painful detour.
God doesn't promise that all the roads will be pleasant to walk, or that we'll understand the "map." He does promise that we'll never walk alone. "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), and often that thing is simply enduring with faith.
God desires that a woman be "clothed with strength and dignity, and (laugh) without fear of the future" (Proverbs 31:25 NLT). Laughing doesn't come easy in darkness. But we can't live in fear of life's spirals, playground or otherwise. We do our best to keep our kids safe. I did everything I could to help my daughter survive in the womb. It didn't work.
So yes, we can be only so close.
Thankfully, God stands in the gap, and stands ready to love us through anything.
-"In the Dark"; Always There by Susan Besze Wallace; pp. 85-87
Control is a confusing issue for moms. We are supposed to determine limits, bedtimes, and portions, and teach character, academics, and hygiene. But even while holding tightly to the things we manage, we need to acknowledge the Great Manager and remember He is always there and in ultimate control.
God is in control even in the dark moments in rocking chairs and on bathroom floors and, yes, in playground mulch. And in even darker moments in exam rooms and funeral homes. We grapple with reacting in crisis, soothing our children, changing unpleasant realities, and maybe even who to blame. Recognizing God's presence in the decidedly undramatic times helps us cling to God when life hits those inevitable spiritual potholes. "The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14).
People have always faced the question of how big God is in their own lies. Moses wasn't sure he had what it took to lead his people to the Promised Land (see Exodus 3:11). David's people faced a standoff with the Philistines, but only this eighth-born boy had the courage - or perhaps, the faith - to face the imposing Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17). Job's wealth, children, and physical health were taken in Satan's attempt to get him to curse God.
"The Lord said, 'Everything under heaven belongs to me'" (Job 41:11). And Job, asking many, many questions, hung on: "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).
Some of us moms are more controlling than others, but I think having children makes it even harder for all of us to live blind to what life will hold. We want so much for our little people - health, joy, security - that when those plans are upended, even a slight bend in the road can feel like a severe and painful detour.
God doesn't promise that all the roads will be pleasant to walk, or that we'll understand the "map." He does promise that we'll never walk alone. "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), and often that thing is simply enduring with faith.
God desires that a woman be "clothed with strength and dignity, and (laugh) without fear of the future" (Proverbs 31:25 NLT). Laughing doesn't come easy in darkness. But we can't live in fear of life's spirals, playground or otherwise. We do our best to keep our kids safe. I did everything I could to help my daughter survive in the womb. It didn't work.
So yes, we can be only so close.
Thankfully, God stands in the gap, and stands ready to love us through anything.
-"In the Dark"; Always There by Susan Besze Wallace; pp. 85-87
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