Raising a child today is difficult. There are multitudes of evil influences pulling each young individual into a well-planned trap with a possible outcome of failure and disaster.

The enemy, Satan, is a schemer, fully aware of his plots of destruction in playgrounds, schools, relationships, jobs, family, and anywhere a child sets foot. When no one seems to visually comprehend what is happening to a child, the enemy works steadily, 24 hours a day behind the scenes attempting to make a mess of a life.

For me, no matter how difficult, frustrating or challenging it is to parent my child, God reassures me countless times in His Word that He has a plan, He knows what is best, and He will work out any and every mess for His honor and glory. I must wholeheartedly connect to and follow His guidelines.

It seems natural for me to earnestly pray and expect God to change my child, my way and in my time. I found that in His perfect plan, however, He chose the role of parenting in order to change me first.

That doesn’t seem right or fair because my child is the one who needs to overcome insurmountable needs. Since my mind tells me that I already have my act together (which I really don’t), I tell myself that it is not necessary for God to rework my life first.

I realize it is a necessity for me to change. Today is an opportunity for a new beginning and a good day for a fresh new start. It is a chance for a new commitment to flow from my heart and to let God change me. He desires for me to be His faithful servant and He longs for my child to obey Him as the Lord’s chosen child.

Promise: “Faithful is He who calls me and He will also do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Partnering with God: Dear Lord, help me to be faithful in listening, obeying, and in following Your plan in parenting my child.