In our role as parents, times of uncertainty appear even more daunting because it draws our attention to our children and their wellbeing. We get the sense that just like a “mother hen,” we must gather our children around us, spread our wings, cover, and protect them. It is a very natural byproduct in parenting to be alert to all that can be done to keep our children safe from emotional or physical harm, and at the same time, be on high alert to the dangers.
The world stage is very unstable right now, and our media sources overwhelm us with lots of information. Unfortunately, propaganda is at an all-time high and we don’t know who or what to believe as to the true “state of our wellbeing.” Much of what is promised may never come to be, both good and bad. With that said, we can easily fall onto the slippery slope of despair, and our children will “catch” that from us. The Bible tells us in Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.”
We can build our foundation on the Lord and His promises. We can fully trust His Sovereignty and instruct our children to do the same. Apart from Him, there isn’t much else to trust. The words of Jesus in Luke 6:46-49:
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
Is your foundation built upon the solid rock or the shifting sand? Wisdom may call us to keep ourselves and our children from the news feeds. A better option would be to gather and pray. Read Scripture together and be reminded of God’s promises. Never forget that God sits on the Throne of heaven and is all powerful, all knowing and everywhere. Nothing happens that He does not allow or is not aware of. Psalm 121:1-2: “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” There is an old saying that could be considered a cliché’, nevertheless it is very true; “We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.” Seek Him and you will find Him. Is devotion to God and His church a priority for your family? Are you raising your children in the faith? Are you in a position of obedience that naturally will draw God’s presence, peace, and protection?
As Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:3-4:
“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
