In Over My Head

Have you ever had those moments in parenting where you thought:

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING?!

I've been having a lot of those lately. It seems like every time we get past a stage or problem and I think I've got my Mommy act together something new sneaks up. Unfortunately, I don't handle it well. I'd like to respond calmly. With prayer. But usually I just get ticked off.

Then I look around and it seems there are others who do have it all together. They could be having their ninth baby, grind their own wheat, use cloth diapers and just love every minute of it. They seem to calmly dole out discipline that actually curbs naughty behavior. Their kids take naps and go to bed without fussing. They probably aren't still trying to get half their kids to bed after 10 p.m.

Grant is usually calm and laid back and cooperative. But lately he's been irritable and angry and stubborn. I'll admit it, I know nothing about boys. I didn't have a brother although I always wanted one. I thought a brother would like to swim and play outside since my sister didn't. This week sent me searching out my autographed copy of "Bringing Up Boys". For real, it's signed by James Dobson himself.

And that is why dealing with boy stuff is left to my husband. But as much as he knows about guy stuff, he doesn't have all the answers.

Even though I think I know some stuff about girls, I'm already dumbfounded by some things my girls say and do. There are no easy answers or formulas.

I don't like not knowing what to do. I don't like not being in control. It makes me realize that parenting is bigger than me, my strategies, problem solving and book reading. In humility, when I know I don't have the answers and I can turn to the One who does. That's when I'm driven to pray for my kids and ask for wisdom. It's when I realize they are God's and not mine.

He is never in over his head.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD ,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you-
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.