I co-parent teenagers. The daily dilemmas, disputes and doldrums can leave any parent feeling pretty defeated by day’s end. If I don’t carve out time to remember who He is and who I am in the midst of my week, the frequent storms will wear me down.

Together, let’s take time this week to recount a few basic yet extraordinary truths to help us stay emotionally and spiritually afloat as we cling to Him in the midst of the mundane and marvelous tasks of the day before us.

“He lives in you.”

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

Galatians 2:20a

When you cannot see what lies ahead trust the Eternal God, who has always been and will always be. He has no beginning and no end and can see both the beginning and the end simultaneously. He is everlasting.

And, He lives in you.

When you are exhausted and don’t know how you can make it through another day, lean on your Infinite and Limitless God. He is inexhaustible and goes on forever. He is the God of more not less.

And, He lives in you.

When you don’t know where to turn and feel alone on the path you are on, cling to our God who is omnipresent. He is everywhere and nothing is hidden from His sight.  Wherever you go, there He is.

And, He lives in you.

When you can’t see a way out, a solution, another side to the obstacle that you face, come to the God who is Omniscient.  He knows ALL things.  He is the Master solver, the brilliant One, the genius of all geniuses.

And, He lives in you.

When you are weak, remember that your God is strong and powerful.  He is Omnipotent and is the source of all strength and power.  He is THE strongest and the most powerful in the world. He accomplishes everything He does without effort. He is perfect in power, and perfect in rest.

And, He lives in you.

When you are feeling insignificant, out of control, and powerless, find rest in our God who is completely sovereign.  He alone has all authority, all dominion and He is the ruler of all things. He is in complete control of all things.  He reigns over all creation and sits right now on the throne as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

And, He lives in you.

When you need discernment, direction and wise counsel, seek out the wisdom of God.  He is the wisest and everything God says and does are done in perfect wisdom.  His plans and His paths are perfect, and cannot be improved upon.

And, He lives in you.

When everything around you is turning upside down and predictability disappears from the horizon, stand upon the rock that is your God. He is constant and consistent. He is Unchanging; the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is unwavering and He stays the same at all times.

And, praise be to God, He lives in you.

Jackie

I co-parent teenagers. The daily dilemmas, disputes and doldrums can leave any parent feeling pretty defeated by day’s end. If I don’t carve out time to remember who He is and who I am in the midst of my week, the frequent storms will wear me down.

Together, let’s take time this week to recount a few basic yet extraordinary truths to help us stay emotionally and spiritually afloat as we cling to Him in the midst of the mundane and marvelous tasks of the day before us.

“You are His.”

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

I Corinthians 6:19b-20

Swaddled in a blanket with a striped cap on her head, my newborn was gently placed beside me in bed that evening. I stared at her for hours, repeatedly telling her that I loved her and that she was mine.

Over the next 19 years, two more children came into our lives along with various trials and tribulations. Each of these helped me to learn that what I had whispered to my first baby was only partly true. Yes, I loved her. But, she was not really mine. God had lovingly bestowed her and our other two children to us for a season. Through the years this truth has offered me great comfort, knowing that His love and affection for them would ultimately shield them from harm. At times, it also frustrated me, however, when He would allow something to happen that I didn’t foresee or desire. In those moments I would find myself wrestling once again with this overwhelming and powerful truth.

Even though relinquishing control has been a difficult journey, sometimes it’s even harder to let go of the grip I have on my own life. I can easily forget that I belong to Him as well. In a world where the idea of submission and surrender are often negatively correlated with imprisonment or oppression, we can be seduced into taking control of every aspect of our lives. Everywhere we go, the message “I belong to me” is imparted. Quite honestly, even many children’s TV shows instill this belief.

I am not my own and you are not your own because we have been bought with a price. (I Corinthians 6:19-20) He has full ownership of all of our gifts, talents, body and possessions. It’s all His because we are His. While the world may mock a mom who surrenders all that she has to a God she cannot see, remember that membership has its privileges. I am reminded of a portion of the poem by Patrick of Ireland:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,  

Christ behind me, Christ before me, 

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me

Be renewed and refreshed this day, knowing that because you are His, you have been given unmerited blessing, freedom and peace.

Jackie