I have often wondered how to develop a regular "quiet time". I'm not much of a reader so I struggle to really get into the Word just for the sake of getting into it. I've longed for something that would get me into the Word but with purpose.
Some recent events have caused me to feel as though I am at the end of my parenting rope. I have begun questioning my ability, asking what have I done wrong? Are there things I should have done differently? I've come to a place where I just don't know how to help my kids.
Strangely enough, I had to get a new phone recently (that's another story) and it just so happens that this phone has twice the storage of my previous phone. So, as I was setting it up, I started downloading apps that I had previously deleted due to space. One of them happened to be the Kindle app, where I have discovered some free downloads that I always "intended" to read. As I opened this app and signed in, I began looking through the reading options. As though God designed it this way, I discovered "The 30 Day Praise Challenge for Parents" by Becky Harling was on my app. Remember, I'm not much of a reader, but thought it might be the thing to do. So I started reading it and quickly lost interest. Satan? Not sure. Fast forward to today, having sat in my bedroom and cried until my mascara was running down my face, crying out to God asking what I should do to help my son. And tonight I sat down to watch football and felt prompted by God, again, to pull it out, so I did. I could use all the help I can get right now. This is the result of reading day 1.
Each days ends with a journal question. If it's ok with you, I'm just going to answer that question here. I think it will help me and perhaps someone else. So here it goes:
Joshua is 17, tall and blond, sports oriented, intelligent, responsible, loyal, loves to play with the dog's tail. He's deeper than most 17 year old boys and longs for a deep friendship that goes beyond the surface stuff that a lot of teens nowadays have. He is a hard worker, loves his mama, helps without being asked, enjoys my cooking, laid back, loves music, and is very truthful.
God, thank you for making Joshua exactly the way he is. Thank you that he talks nonstop about sports. I love that you have given him such a passion for something. Something I never discovered for myself. Thank you for how he thinks of others and wants to help his family and his friends. I also thank you that he is laid back, though it drives me crazy sometimes, I know you made him that way for a reason. Thank you for giving him a sense of responsibility and loyalty. His heart for other people is easily seen. And thank you that he knows, loves, and serves you. Thank you for speaking to his heart. Though he is conflicted at times, as we all are, I thank you that he chooses You.
Zach is 14, tall and blond and very thin. He is very intelligent, so much so that I think it turns others away and I don't even understand him sometimes. He is a very out of the box thinker. He's a nerd and I love it. He likes Pokémon and Transformers. He enjoys video games and has a YouTube channel. He has a big heart and has never met a stranger. He tries so hard but can be forgetful and a bit scattered. He can easily focus on what interests him but has a hard time with things that don't. He says what is on his mind, not ever meaning to hurt anyone. He is very black and white. He moves at his own pace and not a step faster. He prefers being along and is a big sleeper.
Father, thank you for Zach. Thank you for giving him a brain and making him not afraid to use it. Thank you that he is passionate about things that others may find silly, but he sticks to his guns anyway and stays true to who you made him to be. Thank you for his capacity to love and help others. Thank you that he is confident enough in himself and who you made him to be that he is able to speak his mind. And thank you for giving him and internal metronome that is unique to him and that he doesn't rush through life. Thank you for how he questions things and doesn't accept things just because. Thank you for making him a thinker.
Elijah is 11, shorter and also blond. He is HFA, high functioning autistic (Asperger's) which gives him some super powers and some challenges. He can memorize just about anything and can usually quote a movie after seeing it only once. He has a difficult time understanding some everyday things, but knows more about ANW and WWE than most anyone else in the world. He is a walking encyclopedia. He thrives on routine and sameness. He has a great smile and is very helpful and compassionate. He will always do exactly what you ask him. He is great at keeping me and his teachers on track. God, thank you for Elijah. Thank you for his sweet smile and loving heart. Thank you for his super powers that come through autism. Thank you that he likes to watch the same movies and videos over and over again. Thank you that he knows he can use that to calm himself when the world around him gets a bit overwhelming. Thank you that he helps keep the rest of us on schedule. Thank you for giving him passions and enjoyment from ANW and WWE. Thank you that he has found something he can connect with. Thank you for his helpful spirit and his tender heart.
In Jesus's name,
Amen
