How To Train Your Dragon...

Or, how NOT to.

Remember the proverb that says, "Train up your child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."?

Well a proverb is not a promise and the reverse of this proverb is also true. If I allow my child to go about his foolish ways, when he is old he may not depart from them. 

The training up of one of our "dragons" has not been easy. :)

Do you have a strong willed child(ren)?

I know for sure that God knew exactly what He was doing by graciously entrusting this amazing child to our care. He never makes mistakes.

And for the record, a strong willed child is by NO MEANS a mistake or a punishment. There is no such thing as a mistake when it comes to life, but that's another post...

I am a forever student when it comes to my children. When I signed up to be a parent, I had no idea what that meant. I didn't even know it was necessary. I was influenced by the sitcoms of the 80's where everything had a happy ending with a happy song and parents were still the smart guys. Know what I mean?

I was a very confident young mom. I had no fears... AT ALL. I never even worried during my first pregnancy that something could go "wrong". I just didn't even consider it. All I ever knew was that God was going to give me children and I was going to LOVE it and I was going to be GOOD at it and it was going to be GREAT. And if our children misbehaved we would just give them a swat on the bottom and that would be that. (Ha!)

Parenting is great. And I do love it.

It's everything it should be and more.

The MORE part is what I never expected.

God was going to use my children to sanctify me. Nevermind about being good. What is "good" anyway? Who defines that? Only God. And there's nothing good in me of my self apart from Him.

He was going to use my children to humble me in a way that nothing else could. And for that I am sincerely grateful.

For years after our first child turned about 18 months old (he was an absolute dreamboat of a baby) I wondered... "Lord, what are we doing wrong?"

I read so many great books. GREAT books.

But I was left wanting.

Then it hit me out of nowhere, way far into the game...

I was looking to all the experts, to the advice from mentors, family, and good friends. This is not a bad thing.

BUT, I was going to them first. And admittedly, in the beginning, sometimes only to them.

And I was going to them with wrong motives.

My motive was to change my child.

To fix my child.

To make my life easy again.

To make me look good.

Now, I'm sure that within my heart, my deepest desire was to raise godly offspring. I know it was. But it wasn't evident in my prayer life.

How's the quote go... "The proof is in the pudding"?

How was I spending my time? On the phone. Complaining. Worrying.

What were (are) the idols in my heart? Acceptance and admiration from others. The easy road. Perfection.

Where did I place my hope? In myself and in others.

And who was to recieve the glory? Sadly, me.

The outcome: great frustration and self-doubt. Sometimes fear and despair.

Can I share some really encouraging news with you?

All I ever needed was written down in a compilation of 66 books called the Bible. I had heard this many times before, but I didn't believe it was really true for many years. I didn't openly admit this then, even to myself. But it's the truth.

I was a "believer" for many years who never really enjoyed the blessings that came with being a believer and one of the very greatest blessings is GOD's WORD.

Don't misunderstand me. I have taken many "Bible studies" over the years. Do you know the kind I'm referring to? That's not to say that they are bad or wrong... Because they're not at all. Just not the real meat and potatoes. Ya know?

About 4 years ago I took my very first inductive Bible study on the Gospel of John.

Kay Arthur's "Precept's" Bible study changed my life FOREVER.

She taught me how to discover God's Word for myself.

And I've never read the Bible the same way since.

It's full of every bit of sound advice I need to navigate through this life. And I can do this all on my own. I don't need a study guide or a pastor or a priest. Just the Bible along with the help of the Holy Spirit.

This year I started with Genesis and decided to read my way through the entire 66 books. I'm currently in 2 Chronicles, chapter 25.

I never realized just how rebellious God's chosen people, the Israelites, really were.

It made me realize that I am just like those Israelite's from time to time and so are my children.

The really encouraging part is that each and every time they fell away from God, He let them go. And they fell on their faces. BUT, when they humbled themselves and cried out to Him, He answered them EVERY time and He rescued them. Were there consequences? Naturally. But He made a promise to never leave them. He NEVER breaks His promises. We do, but He doesn't. He never forgets His covenant with us... His chosen people.

The Israelites fell away from God over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again and worshiped idols.

I guess if it'd been me, after about the 3rd or 4th time I'd have given up on them. But God is longsuffering and patient and loving and GOOD. Not at all like me. Thank heavens.

So why am I sharing all of this?

Because parenting is like the ebb and flow. Some days are really good and others... very hard.

And I need to be rescued every once in a while.

But lately I have peace that I just can't explain.

The only explanation is that I'm reading God's promises daily and He never changes. He will rescue me if I pursue Him with all of my heart, just like those unfaithful Israelites.

And I want to raise my kids for His glory.

I want for my kids to know the freedom that comes from a surrendered life in Christ. And it's really hard. There is a battle for the lives of my children. But God says that this battle is not mine, but His.

2 Chronicles 20: 15
"Listen all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.'"

2 Chronicles 16:9
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."

I so want for my heart to be completely His.

2 Chronicles 12:14 says that King Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.

But those Kings who DID set their hearts to please the Lord, and walk in His ways, and earnestly seek Him... He let them find Him and He gave them rest and He rescued them.

Where are you today?

Are you seeking the Lord earnestly and walking in His ways?

If not, you're fighting a battle on your own.

Are you struggling with a mountain in your personal life?

He is there waiting for you to give it to Him.

I don't know what lies ahead for our family.

Older child adoption is not a piece of cake.

But knowing what I know now?

I'm wearing the armor of my Savior and He's victorious!

Blessings,
Rebecca

BTW! Did I mention that our dossier is well on it's little way to China?!

Please pray for a quick LID!!!

Also for a Quick LOA!!!