Your children are at peace when you're at peace...

Dear friend,

Your children are at peace when you’re at peace.

There is no greater truth that I’ve been in the thick of learning throughout the last 5 years.

I’m sure you could say the same.

I’m sure you have also felt completely broken and ashamed, at times, over how you have reacted towards your children. I’ve been there many many times…the overwhelming amount of stress and chaos that feels impossible to overcome.  You take all the deep breaths and allow yourself the space to decompress and process. You make time for yourself. You do the “self-care.” You strategize about how to do things differently but it’s never enough. It never feels like enough. And that’s because it isn’t. We are not enough for ourselves to overcome the sin habits. We are powerless on our own.

When we come to be at peace with that truth it sets the soul up for receiving the best gift we have ever been given as children of God.

What is that gift?

God’s grace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I will be 35 years old next month and for the first time in my life since receiving Jesus at the age of 12, I am understanding what grace really means…and it’s only come through recognizing the depth of my sin and need for a Savior. I understood it before but becoming a mother has been the catalyst for a much deeper grasp on it all. There is something about raising our precious children and being faced with all of our own junk (you know…).

I am on a journey of being at peace.

What does this mean exactly? For me and for you?

Being at peace with my own humanity and the truly wonderous gift of grace I’ve been given as a daughter of God.

Being at peace with my own fragility while rejoicing in my need for Jesus every single day.

Being at peace with my own personal pains and disappointments while letting thankfulness heal my soul.

Being at peace with the daily process of surrendering to my own will and entitlement attitudes.

Being at peace with knowing that I can’t do any of it on my own. I need the Holy Spirit’s help.

I want this message to saturate your heart, dear friend. Today is the day for you to walk in freedom and be at peace within yourself as you fully trust your Savior who died for you and rose from the grave for you. You are His and He is yours.

Perhaps put a hand on your heart and say these words, “Be still my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. It is well with my soul.”

Let’s go back to the beginning – that our children are at peace when we’re at peace.

Our children are at peace when we have settled into our own humanity and are quick to ask for forgiveness and show them what it means to delight in the Lord; for the Lord and Him alone to be our strength where we are weakest.

Our children are at peace when we don’t walk in shame but walk in the abundance of life that Jesus paid for us.

Our children are at peace when we are…

And the greatest gift we can show them is God’s grace so that they, too, receive His grace fully, one day, for themselves.

Dear mama,

Be at peace.

He has overcome the world and died for you, that you may walk forth in complete joy this side of heaven.

<3