This past Saturday, I blogged about "A Single Mom's Dream Come True", without knowing King Solomon was going to be the same topic of discussion during today's Bible Study at Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church. I can't say enough about the message being so timely!
Today marks the very first time I received a phone call from Diego's school (he's in 1st Grade now) that I had to immediately stop what I was doing at work, and show up at the school office to enforce some serious disciplinary action on my child. Most parents dread such a day, while others are already used to it. Nonetheless, it is a very unpleasant yet important experience to go through with your child. For me, it truly was a teaching opportunity for both of us. Parenting is not easy. Adjustments need to be made, evaluated, and reinforced...and this applies to both parent(s) and child.
Despite it all, I'm thankful that the offense was only "excessive talking" and "disobedience" (in terms of not knowing when to stop talking) vs. beating up another child, etc. Regardless, I felt horrible deep down inside. I felt like bursting into tears from the time I had left the office, arrived at the school, had a heart-to-heart talk with Diego, and back. It's so easy to get emotional and convince yourself, "I don't know what else to do!" I seriously wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I couldn't even speak. No wonder King Solomon said what he said: "But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties."
I sure felt like that little child, lost and totally helpless, and wanted someone to hold my hand. I wanted a shoulder to cry on, to lean on, but couldn't find one (or refused to find one). Holding back my emotions throughout the day only intensified what I was truly feeling inside.
So tonight, during my quiet time, I come to my Heavenly Father to pour out my emotions. Parenting isn't easy, and it's only the beginning. I'm now only starting to experience the different (and evolving) stages of parenting myself, and it is such a huge responsibility. I certainly don't want to give in or give up. During such times, it's much easier for spectators to pass judgment on you instead of offering a helping hand or a listening ear.
But then again, the correct response isn't to complain because that won't get me anywhere. Just within 6 months of God miraculously delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, they complained that they were thirsty. They blamed their leader, Moses, instead of going directly to God to ask for help (or even thinking to offer Moses any help)...instead of trusting God and knowing that He will supply their every need. They quickly forgot how He had delivered them from Pharaoh's cruel hand, and now they're doubting that He will quench their thirst! In the end, God still gave them their request...however, I'm sure they missed out on a great blessing for doubting God, complaining, and not serving.
It's so easy to judge the Israelites after reading the story. It's so easy to call them selfish, vile, and ungrateful. But, if we look inwardly, we'll see how we can be just like that in our everyday lives. When faced with difficulty, i.e. parenting challenges, I can easily complain, turn to someone else (instead of God), blame that person for whatever reason, and doubt God. But, I don't want to miss God's blessing. I already know I can't do this on my own...which only means, I have no reason to go into the "Woe-is-me" mode. Instead, I should cast my burden at His feet (1 Peter 5:7). My problem is God's problem! We're on the same team! Therefore, I must be confident that if He's on my side, it has already been taken care of! I just need to trust Him to give me wisdom to know what to do, for His glory.
I'm pretty sure there will be more challenges up ahead that may even seem insurmountable...but, my God is greater than any problem...and I know He will hold my hand and see me through each one of them.
So, how was your day today? Was it challenging? How did you handle it? Or, how could you have done things differently? Did you enlist God's help in dealing with today's challenges?
