(Guest post by Jameson Maynes)
“Can we go to ours new house, momma!? I like my new house!” Two-year-old Lainey shouted triumphantly at me as we were leaving the grocery store.
My husband and I recently bought our first home—a nerve-wracking, exciting whirlwind. While the entire process was a lot smoother than either of us ever imagined it could be, there was much sacrifice and prayer that came before we moved into our new home.
The moment Lain shouted as we left the grocery store, the Holy Spirit gently whispered a question that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.
“What if more of My children felt that same security in what I have given them?”
There are many days when I question how I am doing as a mother.
Was my tone too harsh when she threw another fit about nap time?
Did I speak love and truth to her heart today?
Why did God choose me to be her mom?
It can be easy to get caught up in the worry we feel as parents, can’t it? It can be easy to let that worry turn to questions of doubt.
On the other hand, when we step into the security we have in Christ, our children feel that security.
Lain doesn’t know the kind of sacrifice, prayer and work her Papa and I put in before we purchased this new house. All that she knows is she has a new bedroom and a big back yard to play in because her parents bought it – for her!
Things looked a little different from my perspective, though. We saw this house for the first time, made an offer on it, and accepted a counter offer–all in less than twenty-four hours.
Whew! As someone who likes everything planned out and written down weeks in advance, I was extremely nervous.
I kept praying in those short twenty-four hours that God would make it obvious if He wanted to close the door on this home. I kept pleading with Him that if He wasn’t in it, I didn’t want our family to be in it.
After I prayed, God only opened the door wider in obvious ways over and over again. Our realtor commented a few times, “I’ve never seen a seller go out of his way for a buyer like this!”
We had incredible favor. God wanted us to know this was our home, given to us by Him.
Through the scary process of purchasing our first home, the Lord continually reminded us this was a gift from Him and we could rest securely in his love and favor.
Lain felt that security. She didn’t have to question a thing.
How often do we question the “house” the Lord has put us in?
The prophet Isaiah said of God’s people, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
God has paved the way, paid the price, and done the work to place you in the home (so to speak) of parenting your children.
At the end of the day, he chose you to parent your children. When you find security in the gift and favor that the Lord has given you to be a parent, it’s easier to parent!
When your security comes from the deep-rooted knowledge that this “home” is a gift and is the one he has placed you in, you can trust more of the decisions you make for your children and your household.
Now that’s what I call a secure and peaceful dwelling.
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
