Continuing

I'm fighting back all that I have to delete this blog already. Embarrassed, unimportant, and even thoughts of "am I being selfish" keep me from wanting to write. I often compare myself to others' and their trials. Normally the ones you see and hear about on the news. Are my trials really that important? 

Well there must be a reason I am always pulled back in even when I want to give up. I don't intend to use this as a diary, although that is therapeutic for my healing, I hope to share and help others. 

I have been blessed. I have 2 beautiful children. Both cause me to self-reflect, (as they often hold up a mirror of my less than desirable qualities!) They give me hope for the future. They are sponges in this world. And that's both amazing and scary! I don't remember asking for that responsibility! 

So how do we, as single moms, go about raising them to know God? Among the more serious concerns of making ends meet financially, finding time to teach them and play with them, cleaning, cooking and sleeping (of which I could use more of!), where does God fit in? 

Well, first of all, He is everywhere. And a child's heart is so open and innocent, I've found it easier to start conversations with my kids about God than it is to do so with adults! 

Besides the occasional trip to church (I know I need to take them more frequently) there's so many forms of media available to open the door to conversation with kids. The Bible series on the History channel was my most recent way to share with them. My son, at the young age of 6, was intrigued, and glued to this show. All during it he asked so many questions. Some of which I even had a hard time answering! 

Besides teaching with media, it's more important to lead by example. Granted no mom is perfect, I think you have to work on your relationship with God DAILY if you want to really influence your children. This is more than memorizing verses or chapters, it's more than ritual prayers, more than all that. Children feed off emotions, they are very sensitive creatures. So when you feel that love, so do they. It gives an ability to relate to them how God is relevant even today. 

I encourage studying His word with the intent of finding it's relevancy today, not just so you can recite it. You can live it. 

So back to my original question- where does God fit in, in a hectic, complicated and tiring life of a single mother? 

Well He gives me strength day to day. I am sure to let my kids know this. I would not have made it this far without Him. My kids see this, I am sure. And I tell them this. 

He gives me love. I can't hide from my kids all the emotions and pain all the time. I'm human and I have meltdowns. But although my kids do unfortunately see hurt in my eyes, they see me healing. I have came a long long way in healing, and whenever my kids ask about events from our past, I can talk to them about it with confidence that it shows I am healing. And this is only because of God. 

Leading by example, showing His words relevancy today, and utilizing any outlet to open conversation with your child are what I find. I am always open to more suggestions, so I hope to get feedback from other mothers on this. 

Ladies, today I pray that you find His relevancy in His word to you. That you can see the healing He provides. That you can have frank yet appropriate conversations with your child on what God has done in your life. Lead by example, yet forgive yourself if you feel weak or lost, but always look to Him, so your children will learn to do the same.