Parenting takes patience and prayer. Some days it takes more patience and some days it takes more prayer! When you first become a parent, it can feel like you’re on a beautiful journey to a new land. When parenting toddlers, it can feel like you are reliving the same day over and over again. As they grow into school age kids, some days will feel like a new learning experience and other days will feel like you’re running a marathon. When your children enter their teenage years, there will be times that you will feel like you both are living on different planets. Before you know it, your children are off to college. How can we make the most of the time God has given us with our children and still have patience?
Find the good in every day. If you slow down and take the time to look, you will see the good in your children. It could be as little as a smile, a funny story, or a hobby or talent they have. Invest in the things they love and spend time with them. Encourage your children when they need it and even when they don’t. Children need to hear when you are proud of them or when they do something hard or well. Encouragement helps both their spiritual life and their mental health. Most of all pray for them daily. Go before the Lord on their behalf. Tell them you’re praying for them so they know that you care about them and their future.
Part of growing and training your children in the Lord is matching hour actions with the words you say. When you live out how you feel about your children, you will grow your relationship with them.