" Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see."
Hebrews 11:1
I have s-l-o-w-l-y been learning a very important child rearing principle: I am running a marathon, not a sprint. Now, this may seem obvious to some of you, but it is something that has taken me quite awhile to understand.
My difficult child cannot be changed overnight. He will not "be a new child by Friday" simply by following a new discipline technique. He will continue day after difficult day to test me, to push back against me. There will be times that it feels utterly hopeless and I will feel like a complete failure as a mother. There will be days I will throw up my hands in surrender and say, "Enough! I can't do this another day." Then, by God's grace, I will get up the next morning and begin again.
I have learned that when days are the darkest, that is when we need to stand in faith. Instead of throwing up our hands in defeat, we have to have faith to believe in God's promises. We discipline in faith, believing that God's ways are good and right. We experiment with diet in faith, trusting God to give us wisdom and insight. We pray in faith, knowing God hears every prayer and knows all our needs before we ask them. When we have loved, sacrificed, disciplined, prayed, exhorted and hoped, we stand in faith and wait for God to "give the increase." It will not happen overnight. There may be many long and dark years. We must not expect a quick and easy sprint to the finish line. It is a long and slow marathon and, like all good runners, we must learn patience and endurance.
"Be strong and of good courage" today as you train and love your difficult child. Do not be discouraged when you can't see the finish line. Faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see." (Heb 11:1) It is there and you will cross it one day as you continue in faith.
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I have learned that when days are the darkest, that is when we need to stand in faith. Instead of throwing up our hands in defeat, we have to have faith to believe in God's promises. We discipline in faith, believing that God's ways are good and right. We experiment with diet in faith, trusting God to give us wisdom and insight. We pray in faith, knowing God hears every prayer and knows all our needs before we ask them. When we have loved, sacrificed, disciplined, prayed, exhorted and hoped, we stand in faith and wait for God to "give the increase." It will not happen overnight. There may be many long and dark years. We must not expect a quick and easy sprint to the finish line. It is a long and slow marathon and, like all good runners, we must learn patience and endurance.
"Be strong and of good courage" today as you train and love your difficult child. Do not be discouraged when you can't see the finish line. Faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see." (Heb 11:1) It is there and you will cross it one day as you continue in faith.
Yep, that's a lesson I learned as well. There is NO WAY we could continue to homeschool for any length of time with a sprinter's attitude! I'm finishing up year 23 and there are times I get tired and burned out. Having the marathon mindset helps me remember taking a breather does not mean failure. It means I'm not pacing myself well and I need to rethink and regroup.
ReplyDeleteGreat encouragement! Thanks.
Thank you....from my heart.
ReplyDeleteToday is one of those days when my W is not being difficult, but is having a difficult time in other ways....just sad and not wanting to be at school.
It's heartbreaking. And today, I gave in. Brought him home and am letting him spend quiet time with lego.
Thank you for sharing and encouraging us mom's. There is strength in numbers.
Yes, there is strength in numbers. I am encouraged by my readers lovely comments every day.
DeleteThank you!
I have a special needs child and while he is not difficult in the sense of discipline, it has been very difficult to parent him. Thank you for the reminder that it's not a sprint!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were encouraged here today, Terri!
DeleteI appreciate this reminder as well. Early on, even before my difficult child, I wanted to be a perfect parent with perfect kids and became miserable in my failures. Then I read that what our children need is not perfection but to see the cross modeled before them every day. That keeps me in the marathon without giving up.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Leah! I did not know how to have joy as a mother until I let go of perfection!
DeleteGreat post I have a difficult child that I often expect to change overnight. Thanks for the reminder that I am in this for the long haul, and results take time. I found you from a wise woman's link up.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of parenting as a marathon. So true. Nothing is really gained or lost in one day. Thank you for your words today!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for the reminder it's difficult to remember in the heat of thing or when you're hoping for change. But "discipline in faith" that's a great reminder. I'm gonna hold onto that. Thanks for reminding me to turn back to Christ and stick in it for the long run!
ReplyDeleteJessie at JessieGunderson.com
yes..how very true. habits are hard to break. but I have never underestimated the power of prayer..as parents that is sometimes ALL we have!!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.