This was the day I became a parent. I had somewhat of a clue of what to expect, but almost a decade later, I can say it was very little.  And that’s my husband in the background, enjoying a burger.  Don’t think he knew, either.

This past Sunday, I began to reminisce about that day when our world changed.  Sometimes parenting feels like walking on a tightrope- you make one little mistake and it’s over for good. I’ve realized, though, that when I do mess up, there’s a cushion of grace waiting below to soften my fall.

Along with receiving advice from other parents who have walked the same road, I have learned that the only thing that works for me is asking God for wisdom.

Modeling kind behavior and patterns have also proved powerful.  Earlier this week, when one of my kids stubbed his toe, his brother prayed for him.  He wouldn’t have known to do that had he not witnessed it.

Encouraging my children to talk to God like he is right there in front of them has helped them to stay calm when they are afraid of the dark.

There are days my eyes fill with tears because I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. At all.  I feel that I’ve gotten it all wrong.

Then, I remember a promise in my ear, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9.  Whatever gaps I have made and will make are filled by God’s grace.

My husband reminded me this week that when we dedicated our children to the Lord as babies, we gave them to Him.  Our job now is to rest in knowing that He will equip us to be the parents he has called us to be.

Things may not go as I have planned out in my mind, but what I know is that they have been handed to a perfect Father who loves them more than I ever can.

~Elizabeth (Betsy)