Parenting Moment: You Can’t…and It’s Okay

“Go spend some time with Jesus.”

That was my husband’s wise advise. It’d been one of those weeks–sickness had ravaged the house, and my body screamed for rest. Yet so many other needs screamed at me too. How could I do this?

Feeling at the absolute end of myself, I took my husband’s advise and headed up for some time with Jesus. I ended up reading the evening Daily Light devotional, which included this verse:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)

While the context is referring directly to financial sufficiency, the point is that God is able to equip us for the good works He desires us to do. Here was another one:

...he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18b (ESV)

There it was again. Jesus was able.

As parents, we don’t have what we need to love our children the way God calls us to. But Jesus does! If we’re His child, then He can demonstrate His love in us.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:11-12 (ESV)

Think about Jesus’s love for a moment. He spoke the universe into existence, yet He chose to become a helpless baby, dependent on others for everything. His love led Him to give up immeasurable power for weakness…and a birth in a stable no less. Ultimately, His love led Him to the cross.

God is the perfect Father. His love is beyond comprehension. And He is able to strengthen us for the task of parenting the children He entrusts to us. It’s okay to admit that the task is beyond us–it is!–but it’s not beyond our God.

It’s also okay to admit to others when we need help. We’re called to love one another, and as we do, it displays God’s incredible love. I’m so thankful for other believers who have come alongside me and carried me in challenging seasons. They’ve been the tangible display of God’s love.

Dear parent, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, look to Jesus. He is able. And open yourself up to His people. You’ll be amazed at what God can do.