As I logged onto Facebook this morning, there was this memory that popped up on my timeline from six years ago:

“Ah, a spitty-up, tired baby… a cranky, defiant two year old who likes to say no and throw fits tonight..a loud and outspoken four year old who decides to pee in time-out instead of being quiet, and a seven year old who in the midst of the chaos is trying to hold a conversation about the frogs that she is learning about in school.”

This six year old memory is a very good descriptor of the chaos {at times humorous in hindsight} that go hand-in-hand with parenting, and the extra drama that comes with each additional kid.

I am glad that not every moment of every day is like this and that where at times the struggles of it all seems like too much, when the calm comes and there are moments of sweetness, kindness, joy and laughter it makes the arduousness that we face day to day more bearable. That, and definitely Jesus giving us wisdom and strength!

We still have difficult moments, hours and days…even if they look a tad different than spitty-up and cranky babies, defiant toddlers, with tantrum-throwing four year olds in this season.

The last six years has seen our mix of children grow from four to five.  Our youngest is currently in the throws of toddlerdom {tantrums, curiosity, energy, busyness and the joys of it all}.

Meanwhile with our oldest three girls we have entered the teenage years with one and the tween stage with the other two {well, hello hormones and dramatics, you have introduced us to a new level of your nature. Thanks for that…} Despite all of that, it is so amazing to watch them grow into wonderful young women that are a huge help and blessing in our family!

Our oldest son is now a strapping {superhero} kindergartner.

In this new season the challenging moments/hours/days/weeks and even months {just being real} are just as trying. Sometimes even more so because you realize as they grow the gravity of how your choices and words affect and shape them.

My prayer is that God gives me wisdom through each encounter with each of my five children, His grace to cover my mistakes when I react out of frustration instead of correcting them in love. I pray that I would have the wherewithal and strength to ask forgiveness from my children when I do mess up {which happens more often than I would like}. I pray that I would know when to pick my battles, but diligent to press through when the battles are long and tough and to not give up on my kids!

I love my kids and I know that they were each intricately knit together and fashioned with their own unique personalities and  giftings.  I want to encourage them and push them to understand the importance of character in their life as they learn, grow and face life head on day-by-day. They are each so important and I want them to realize how their lives affect others and that there is greatness inside of them!

I guess I am jotting down my thoughts  today because I know that I’m not alone out there when parenting gets tough. I wanted to speak encouragement to all of you moms and dads out there who are with me on this parenting journey: Thank you! Stay strong!  You aren’t alone! You aren’t the only family that doesn’t have it all together {none of us do}. Keep spending time with one another and keep those healthy conversations going. If you are in a place where you need to seek out a good Christian counselor to help navigate and mediate the hard conversations and to help deal with deep-seeded issues, by all means…don’t have too much pride to seek out help.  Have ears to hear and listen to the thoughts, frustrations, ideas and dreams of your loved ones. Keep pressing through the tough times and loving your kids while looking to Jesus who is the One who gives us all wisdom and strength. Let God knit your hearts and homes together with His perfect peace and love!

Lastly, but a main thing that many times gets set to the back burner, keep on praying for and with your families! Prayer really does cause miracles to happen and it postures your heart to release anger and bitterness as you bring Jesus into the center of your life. I heard someone say a few years ago it is hard to stay mad at someone that you are praying for, and this is so true. If you are skeptical give it a try!

Parents: we’ve got this! Press through the tough, focus on the good, give thanks in all, bathe the whole lot in prayer, act and speak everything in love.  Enjoy your families in each season, especially where you find yourself now. -Shelley.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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