This month I have been recounting blessings that God has helped me to see when the season of layoff did not appear to be one we would be thankful for.
When we were growing up, parents did not have conversations with children about the challenges they were facing. After all, a parent just wants to protect their children rather than concerning them with matters that their young minds cannot quite comprehend.
My husband and I found ourselves in a position I have written about before: do we imitate all that we’ve ever known or do we do things a bit differently? After seeking the Lord in prayer for help and wisdom, we decided to sit our children down and share the news with them.
As the look of shock spread over their faces, the questions began to pour in:
“Will Mama go back to work?”
“Will we stop homeschooling?”
“Will we move?”
My insides began to cringe as I questioned our decision to discuss this matter with them. But my husband and I maintained our composure as we answered each question to the best of our ability. It evolved into a lengthy conversation in which we affirmed that we had faith in God to provide the right job at the right time with the right company. We were honest in sharing that we didn’t know what the future would look like, but we trusted that God who has always been with us and helped us would continue to do the same. In fact, we began to recall instance after instance of God’s miraculous provisions in our lives and they listened intently.
Once the last question was asked, my husband encouraged each child to pray aloud. Every word that came forth from our children’s hearts left my husband and me in tears and in awe of their childlike faith. They each prayed with absolute trust in God’s care for our family and we all emerged strengthened.
Throughout that season, my children confidently stated that they felt like they should be scared or worried, but they weren’t. All they felt was God’s presence and peace all around us. There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for such a blessing!
Dear Friend, if your family is walking through a difficult season now, I understand that you may not want to burden your children with it. But bringing them along in the process as God leads you and seeking the Lord together by “rejoicing always, praying continually, giving thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) is valuable. Not only does it strengthen each of you in your faith, but it also sets your children up for the reality that difficult things do happen. They will be equipped with the tools of how to respond in the future based on you modeling it to them now.
I am reminded of the following instructions from Moses to the Israelites: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 AMP)
~Joyce
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