By Sarae Martin
After a particularly rough weekend with the kids, I came across this encouraging word from the Lord.
Psalm 16:7-11
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
As I looked at this in the context of crying out to the Lord in a state of being overwhelmed with the task of raising five kids (in hopes that they would be abiding believers who live the sacrificed life), the Lord said, “Apply this to your life today.”
So I made a list: the things that God is responsible for and the things that I am responsible for (in regards to parenting…and life in general)
God’s Responsibilities:
To be my counsel (v. 7): When I don’t know how to train a certain child, God will be my counsel…and will provide me just the information I need for a particular child
To instruct me (v.7): Again, who do I go for when I am looking for wisdom in parenting?
To not abandon me (v. 10): He will not leave me to flounder aimlessly in my parenting
To make known my path(v.11): Lord I desire to know what path I need to take with each child.
To bring joy and pleasure (v.11): What a great promise to cling to when we feel like we are failing as a parent, or are overwhelmed, or are ready to quit and leave them to their own devices…he will bring joy and pleasure to us.
My Responsibilities:
To continually set the Lord before me (v. 8): Note the word “Continually.” This is not a once a week sort of thing. I am responsible to place the Lord first in my life.
To not be shaken (v. 8): Why is this? Because of what God’s responsibilities are. If I trust who God is and that He is faithful, then even on the worst of days I will not grow weary of doing good and being diligent in my parenting.
To be glad (v. 9): This is who God has given me to raise and the life that He is given me. I am glad for it and I…
To Rejoice (v. 9): …Rejoice in the good and the trials for He is transforming me in the process as much as He is transforming my kids…
To Dwell securely (v. 9): …and even when I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I will make a conscious effort to dwell in the security of His promises and responsibilities.
Sarae is a shepherdess of a small flock of four as a stay-at-home mom. She graduated with a degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Spanish and English. She taught for three years but is currently living her dream of ministering at a Christian Camp in Michigan alongside her husband.