Under Pressure
“He is there to pick us back up, set our feet back on the right path, and give us guidance on what to do next.”
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:23-24 NLT
Moms, let’s travel back in time for a minute. Let's head back to school…can you remember the!pressure of studying for an upcoming test? Think about the moment that test was laid in front of you, and you realized you hadn’t studied as well as you thought. Oh the fear and pressure to not fail! We can look back now and chuckle, but in that moment our hearts and brains were filled with fear!
Sometimes that’s how I feel when my kids ask tough questions that I don’t have an answer for.
The pressure to get IT right, it’s overwhelming. But Thank God for his grace. Looking at Romans 3:23, the two words that stuck out to me were everyone and all. Those two words reminded me that we ALL fall short, we ALL make mistakes, but we ALL get to experience God's grace and forgiveness when we mess up.
His words can help us with how to help our kids through the tough questions, even if we mess it up. He is there to pick us back up, set our feet back on the right path, and give us guidance on what to do next.
I’m reminded that God's love isn’t a reward system based on getting an A+. His mercies are new every day. One of my favorite quotes is "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" (From Anne of Green Gables) I have this framed beside my kids wall calendar, to help remind them, and me, that God gives a fresh start everyday. I love that! So don’t let the pressure of being “right” all the time stop you from talking to your kids.
Being there for them is the best thing you can do!
Say this prayer throughout this week:
Thank You God, for the curious mind and the inquiring heart of my child. Thank You for trusting me to guide them, even when I feel completely unequipped. Right now, Lord, I feel the weight of this moment. My mind feels blank, and my words feel small. Please calm my anxiety and quiet my urge to panic or provide a perfect answer. Instead, give me Your wisdom. Grant me the grace to listen deeply, to embrace their curiosity without fear, and to have the humility to admit when I simply do not know. Fill our home with Your peace. Let my child see that honesty and searching are safe with us, and let them feel Your unfailing love underlying every word we share. Guide my tongue, soften my heart, and draw us both closer to Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Reread the devotional and be honest with yourself and your kids. If you have felt the pressure to always be “right”, now’s the time to ask your kids forgiveness and remind them that you make mistakes too. We all fall short.
Repeat the prayer from yesterday:
Thank You God, for the curious mind and the inquiring heart of my child. Thank You for trusting me to guide them, even when I feel completely unequipped. Right now, Lord, I feel the weight of this moment. My mind feels blank, and my words feel small. Please calm my anxiety and quiet my urge to panic or provide a perfect answer. Instead, give me Your wisdom. Grant me the grace to listen deeply, to embrace their curiosity without fear, and to have the humility to admit when I simply do not know. Fill our home with Your peace. Let my child see that honesty and searching are safe with us, and let them feel Your unfailing love underlying every word we share. Guide my tongue, soften my heart, and draw us both closer to Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday:
If you are feeling the pressure of answering your kids tough questions, take a moment today to take a deep breath, calm your mind,and look into a scripture for guidance on how to answer. I love googling or using the Bible app to help too. And remember it’s ok to tell your kids you don’t have the answer. Gods giving you a great opportunity to open your Bible with them and discover the answers together.
Repeat the prayer from Monday:
Thank You God, for the curious mind and the inquiring heart of my child. Thank You for trusting me to guide them, even when I feel completely unequipped. Right now, Lord, I feel the weight of this moment. My mind feels blank, and my words feel small. Please calm my anxiety and quiet my urge to panic or provide a perfect answer. Instead, give me Your wisdom. Grant me the grace to listen deeply, to embrace their curiosity without fear, and to have the humility to admit when I simply do not know. Fill our home with Your peace. Let my child see that honesty and searching are safe with us, and let them feel Your unfailing love underlying every word we share. Guide my tongue, soften my heart, and draw us both closer to Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday:
There is peace in God's presence, so if you're struggling with your kids' questions, or even your own, take it to God in prayer, turn on a worship song or two, and let God flow. Give Him the worries and doubts, there’s no pressure to be perfect with Him.
Repeat the prayer from Monday:
Thank You God, for the curious mind and the inquiring heart of my child. Thank You for trusting me to guide them, even when I feel completely unequipped. Right now, Lord, I feel the weight of this moment. My mind feels blank, and my words feel small. Please calm my anxiety and quiet my urge to panic or provide a perfect answer. Instead, give me Your wisdom. Grant me the grace to listen deeply, to embrace their curiosity without fear, and to have the humility to admit when I simply do not know. Fill our home with Your peace. Let my child see that honesty and searching are safe with us, and let them feel Your unfailing love underlying every word we share. Guide my tongue, soften my heart, and draw us both closer to Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Written by April Ross, mom of three inquisitive kids, who’s trying to not overthink my answers
