Warriors Arise! April 9th, 2020
God knows I haven't been the perfect mother, but my kids have it pretty good. They have two parents who work together to be parents. Being a stay-at-home mom has been the most difficult job I have EVER had. I have worked in many stressful, time-consuming, and high-demanding jobs. Thankfully, there was always a "go home" time. Parenting, from the time you conceive you are in on the job training that never stops! I remember going through pre-marital counseling. Scott wanted to become a daddy one day. I never wanted to have kids (story for another time). I knew what I would have to give up if we had children and I knew how much work having children could be. But after 3 years, I felt ready to have one child. Children are a huge responsibility and a 24/7 demand of your time, effort, and resources. If we don't want them to be brats or bullies, we have to parent them through those stages.
Right now, parents are faced with circumstances that they didn't choose, to be on lockdown or in isolation, forcing us to parent and be a substitute teacher. It is not the school's responsibility to raise our kids, teach them manners, responsibility, and character. These are things parents are to teach their kid. When this is done then schooling can actually happen in the schools.
This has got to be one of the toughest weeks for the kids and the parents. Three weeks into schooling at home. I know what it is like, every year as a home-school mom I face this problem. Week 1 the books are knew, projects look fun, school assignments are a review of the previous year's work; so it seems easy. Week 2 settling into the schedule, becoming efficient. Week 3 is like a long car trip, "How many more days until we are done?" because the reality that this is our schedule for the next 8 months is daunting! Week 3 is the tipping week. Which way will you tip? Quit or Embrace it? I generally have to remind myself why I am doing this. It can be done with a proper schedule, realistic expectations, and each one taking responsibility/ownership for their part. When these are established, parent and child are a success. God wants there to be peace in the home and families to be strengthened through the isolation/lockdown experience. Think about what your kids will remember about this experience? I'm not talking about the focus of every day being fun. I am talking about every day being a success. What could you do each day to make everyone in your household a winner, an achiever?
Sometimes, it takes others to open my eyes to see that there are children out there who are scared, hungry, hurting, and alone. They do not know healthy parental compassion, love and responsibility. You may know some parents who are struggling to embrace their role as parents. They do not want take a few hours to invest in their child's future through the education they need to be doing at home. They do not want to have their own kids around the house with them. You may even know some children who are going without food or are in a dangerous environment. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering this, but my mind knows it to be true. Parents have confessed and children have shared through tears.
In the midst of all Jesus was doing, He took time for the children. Matthew 19:13-15 "Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven"."
Let's take the children to Jesus in prayer:
Father God, You are the Best Dad! You provide, protect, and encourage us to excel in all we put our hand to. You cheer us on from heaven and You give wisdom when we ask. When we do not have enough strength, you encourage us to keep going. When we do not know what to do, You provide the answer. Father, I ask You to send Your Holy Spirit and speak to the parents. I bind the despair and I lose hope and courage for the future. You created children as a blessing to their family. I loose the parents to see this as a time to invest in their children and the future plans God has for them. I pray for parents to be given understanding, strength, and administration abilities to get to know their children, schedule for their schooling to continue. For the family to grow together, supporting one another in the good that life has to offer. I pray for the children to step in to a time of learning responsibility to the family and ownership of their future through their education. I bind up rebellion and self-centeredness in Jesus name. I bless the parents to invest in the children and the children to bless their parents. Father, for the children who need food, I pray you send food directly into their hands. For the children who need safety, I pray Your angels will guide them away from danger and hide them from evil. For the children who need comfort, I pray they find You in Jesus' name I pray amen.
A Warrior & Parent in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.