"…for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth." Psalm 26:3 (NIV)

Recently, one of my kids got called to the principal's office. On the very day I received an invitation to speak at a national parenting conference. Thank you very much.

Have you ever struggled with letting a circumstance that came your way suddenly define you?

This seems to be a lesson God lets me live over and over. He wants to be my only definition of who I am. I am a child of God, holy and dearly loved. I know this. I teach this. I believe this in the very depths of my soul.

Yet, it is so easy for me to slip into redefining myself when situations arise.

With my head, I was able to see the "principal's office" situation for what it was. My child is in a process of being shaped. My child is strong and while this will serve her well later in life, strength in an immature little person begs to be disciplined. She is a sweet child who made a not-so-sweet choice. All of this is part of the process of growing her up.

I could see all of that with my head.

However, with my heart, I felt like a failure. I wanted to decline the opportunity to speak at that conference and go crawl in a hole somewhere. A hole stocked with chips and salsa, brownies made from a box mix, and ice-cold diet soda.

A part of me felt like I'd been called to the principal's office as the voice of condemnation started haunting me, "You are a bad mom. You have a bad child. You have a bad home."

So, quietly, I slipped away with Jesus. And I did what I've done a hundred times before. I held those condemnations up to the Lord and asked him to help me see this situation the way He wants me to see it. Not the way others see it. Not the way my heart is tempted to see it. But the way He sees it.

And once again He reassured me.

I am not a bad mom.

My child is not a bad child.

My home is not a bad home.

This situation is a call to action. There is a character issue that needs to be addressed within the heart of my child. And kids are supposed to have character issues that need to be addressed.

That's why God gave them parents. That's why God gave me this specific child. God sees within me the ability to be the one He's perfectly designed to raise up this strong little person.

Today is a new day. A day where we can choose to only be defined by God's truth and grace as we navigate this wild wonder called parenthood.

Dear Lord, help me to realize that You have perfectly and purposefully planned my life. Today I am going to make the choice to see the good in each situation with my child. Please help me to be a parent that pleases You with my every thought, word and deed. I admit my dependence on You Lord, and ask for Your guidance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Related Resources:

Visit Lysa’s blog today where she’ll be giving away a copy of her book, The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:

Spend intentional time in prayer this week for your children and their character development.

Spend intentional time in prayer for wisdom as a parent.

Reflections: How can I turn a seemingly stressful situation into a positive learning experience for my child?

Power Verses:

Psalm 25:5, "…guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (NIV)

Matthew 6:13, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (NIV)

Proverbs 16:20, "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." (NIV)

James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up." (NIV)

© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.