I am teaching a class about Biblical parenting at church during Lent (and also 2 weeks after) and as I am writing it, I am studying the Word so intentionally that it has been blowing my mind lately!  Any way, teaching about the power of God’s Word has moved my heart and created an opportunity to share about the difficulty of being broken people trying to live out the Word in our families.  Much of this I have posted about before, here and there, but not all in one post.  I listed 7 steps for my journey here, but there have been so many more.  For me, the process went like this…

1. First I read Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.  This scripture jumped out at me: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor 5:17.  He said  something like – stop thinking of yourself as a sinner.  You are a new creation.  You sin, but you are not “a sinner”.  You have a new name, you are “redeemed”.  I got the message, don’t sell the sacrifice of Jesus short.
2. As I pondered what this meant for me personally, I found this bible verse to be true and such a comfort and relief from trying so hard to “be good”: Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:2-5)
3. The one that followed immediately for me was this:  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control Gal 5:16, 22-23  
4. The Widow’s Mite…to me this story is such a huge blessing…it means that He SEES us.  He knows.  If you are giving your very best offering but it seems to come up short or looks paltry to others (or to you), don’t worry, He knows when you are giving all that you have.  And though it may not look like much to others, He knows the cost to you: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44
5. And lately this one has been coming up again and again: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) I like this version too: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Rom 12:2 (NLT)
6. So He invites us to walk in His way, but He does not make us walk it alone. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30.  He promises to help us carry the burden and to teach us (“My yoke” means “My relationship to you as your teacher”).
7. I think it really comes down to  remembering that His way is different than the way we know so well, but just because it is unfamiliar now, doesn’t mean it always will be.  For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:8-9.  On the other hand it also means that we have to trust Him to know best because there are some things we will never understand.  And those times are when we just have to trust in His character…that is where faith has to kick in!  As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” [The Lord] gives generously to all who call on Him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “LORD, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. Rom 10:11-17  This is the place where we CAN do something – we can get to know Him by studying His Word.  We will not trust Him with everything we have (especially those broken parts) if we do not know Him very, very well.

It really comes down to laying our old selves down by submitting to Him and letting Him do the work.  Being quiet and resting in Him.  It reminds me of a great sermon I heard about Mary and Martha [see a post about this sermon here].

Isn’t God good?  He has refreshed me while connecting me with other parents, struggling with the same things I have felt before and still do.  I am grateful that He weaves my life together so carefully and sends me comfort and companionship when I need it.

justAgirl…just like you!