HOUSE OF ROBERTS BLOG

My oldest Ford is about to be 10 years old and entering the second decade of his life. SO HUGE! When I tell you that the strength and willpower in this one is going to the next great level…I MEAN IT! Was that a positive enough way of describing this new season with him? Ha! Truly it has felt like a battle of the wills at times and I’m telling you like the Ford Automobile slogan my Ford is “Built Tough” haha in every way! I wouldn’t change him for annnnything! I literally look at him and think “Dear God this boy is a BOSS.” I see strength upon strength in him and even though some of those strengths operate sometimes as a weakness for him right now I see the potential, I see the gold! 

The other day Mike and I were so bothered by some of our recent moments with Ford and in our time of prayer in the mornings, we just began to pray and ask the Lord for grace and strategy on how to parent Ford in this next decade. I want to share with you what came of this prayer moment because the Lord was so in the moment guiding and coaching us and I know He wants to do the same for you. 

The first thing the Lord led us to do was PRAY in the spirit for Ford! That’s right, we are Holy Spirit people loud and proud and truly I don’t know what I would do without the coaching of the Holy Spirit in parenthood! The Bible says in Romans 8:26 “And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.”

Let’s be honest sometimes we don’t know how to pray…that’s OK! The Holy Spirit does and he will lead you and guide you and give you the words to speak and pray out! This happened in our time of prayer! God began to have us declare His promises over Ford and speak to Fords God given purposes. He began to give us exact words to pray heaven into his life and Hell out of it! He gave us fresh perspective and a renewed heart to see him the way God sees him. Prayer works and sometimes even if you have to wait to see it unfold (like we talked about last week) pray keeps you steady and fresh believing God!

Second thing He did was give us strategy. I am telling you the Lord desperately wants to be included in our parenting. He never meant for us to do this absent from Him. It requires Him! He has alllll the tips and tricks and knows exactly where your kids are emotionally, physically, and spiritually and He will give you insight and keys to unlock their hearts toward Him, you, and life! One of the specific things He pointed out to us for Ford was “He is entering a new decade and it’s time for MORE to be required of him.” When He spoke this to my heart it literally was like truth rang through my body! I knew this was not a me thought but a God thought and a KEY to Ford's next steps in equipping! It was brilliant and made perfect sense! He told me “Ford is stepping into one of the most significant decades of his life soon, his spirit knows it and so does his flesh. He said the fight and the struggle are actually a cue for you (as parents) and him for MORE…He is hungry for more, he is ready for MORE and even though his flesh cries out for it for natural things it's actually his spirit wanting more. More equipping, more adventure, more responsibility, more discipleship, more laughter, more community, more trust, MORE! YOU GUYS this is SO BRILLANT! All of a sudden some of Ford’s attitudes made sense and actually felt HOLY instead of SINFUL. Now don’t get me wrong his attitudes need to be parented, adjusted, and consequences or they will turn sinful but the hunger he feels for more is actually a HOLY hunger from God, and in a place of prayer for him, God showed us this! Now instead of feeling beat up by this parenting moment, I feel invigorated, curious, prayerful, and eager to mom this moment well with Ford! Only God does this!! 

The third thing He did was encourage us! He said “Don’t be overwhelmed by this I am with you! This is a GOOD season! Be faithful and consistent with him. Stick to your word peacefully. Don’t let your mouth speak evil but continuously speak to the Man of God in him!” Life came back to us! Now don’t get me wrong literally later that night all this was put to the test and we know it will be tested again Ha! But God has spoken! He has brought us the next steps and strategy and He is with us and this is truly all we need to raise our kids well!

I am praying for you and your houses this week! Wherever there is struggle, confusion, weakness in marriage or parenting take it to the Lord! He will show you how to pray like heaven is praying, He will give you strategy that will blow your mind, and He will encourage you in a way that brings fresh breath to your lungs! 

You got this!