motherhood Archives - Sherry Stahl

Parenting Well Isn’t For The Weak

There’s a famous poem called “Children Learn What They Live”.¹ It has been both an encouragement and a wake-up call for me in years past. As a parent, you influence daily. Children watch your every move…even following you into the washroom at times…but you don’t have to be a parent to be a daily influencer.

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”
Titus 2:7 NLT

If you work in an office, on a farm, in a factory, as an officer of the law…wherever you work, the people around you are watching. Titus reminds us we need to “be an example to people by doing good works of every kind.” That means we’re expected to do a lot of good stuff!

So, give people around you some inspiration for greatness today. Lead the way by example, making the most of your influence!

Prayer

Father…Thank you for leading by example. There’s nothing you ask me to do that you haven’t shown the way. I’m amazed that you want me to influence others for You. Help me to look for opportunities to do good and live in a way that will reflect Your love. In Jesus Name…Amen

Titus 2:7

1 Timothy 4:12

1 Peter 5:3

2 Thessalonians 3:9

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

Prayers – That Stick – For Your Children

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus
so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them.
~Matthew 19:13 NLT

When my kids were little, we went through a lot of Band-Aids…I mean A LOT!

BAND-AIDS THAT STICK

Brandon loved to climb things, skateboard and do tricks on his BMX bike that often ended up in cuts, scrapes, gashes, and quite a few stitches. Poor Shelby’s a little clumsy like her momma, so it’s safe to say, we kept the Band-Aid brand in business! I only tried no-name band-aids a couple of times and found they didn’t hold but the Band-Aid brand could be counted on to stick.

PRAYERS THAT STICK

Moms, you want band-aids that stick and prayers that stick for your children. Weak, ineffective prayers that don’t stick won’t the effect on your kid’s life that you want. I’m challenged by this quote I saw from Abraham Lincoln.

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
~Abraham Lincoln

Clearly, momma-bear prayers are powerful {that would include Grandma, Auntie or any motherly prayers}. Don’t underestimate the impact of your prayers in a child’s life! In any case, I think the best way to pray effectively is to pray as Jesus did.

JESUS’ STICKY PRAYERS

Jesus is praying for Peter in Luke 22:32, knowing Peter’s upcoming temptation. He prayed for strength that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail and for Peter to come back to faith after he turned away.

John 17 records a bunch of Jesus’ prayers where He starts off praying for himself and then from verse 6 on He’s covering his disciples and all future believers in prayer: that’s you, me, your children, your children’s children… Jesus says,

“I am not asking that you take them out of the world,
but that You protect them from the evil one.”

Jesus’ prayers that stick are not prayers to give us an easy life, remove us from this troubled world and take all our problems away. Jesus’ sticky prayers are for us to be strong when facing trials, tribulation, and tragedy.

I imagine these are the kind of prayers Abraham Lincoln’s mother prayed over him because he’s someone who is remembered well for his tenacity to not give up when some of his businesses failed, he had a nervous breakdown or when he lost a lot of elections. Those prayers empowered Abe to reach the destiny God had for his life.

YOUR MOMMA-BEAR STICKY PRAYERS

Just like the prayers of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up. Your prayers have the capability to produce cushioned kids who can’t handle problems or confident, overcoming, world-changing children that do something for His Kingdom! So, this Mother’s Day, it’s time to get busy and start praying tough prayers that stick!

Prayer

Father… I come to you in the tenacity of a momma-bear. There is nothing I want more than for my children to have all the strength, boldness, and confidence it takes to fulfill the destiny You’ve placed within them. Please do the deep work in my children, in ______________ that you need to do, in order for them to have what it takes to live out their calling to the fullest. May my children be known as Your faithful followers, living boldly for You! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up! #prayforyourchildren #prayersthatstick[/tweetthis]