HEY MOM,

There are obviously so many yummy wonderful moments we have with our kids. So many wins and time spent in laughter and unity. Seasons where it feels like there is peace in the land and no issues to work through. You gotta love these moments, right?

But what do we do when we hit a tough spot with your kids? When it feels like we are having the same arguments and not seeing eye to eye. When it feels like there are more differences between us than things that bond us. These moments can be overwhelming, disorienting, and often can become emotionally driven.

A few things the Holy Spirit has taught me so far:

- Before I make plans, I PRAY! So it’s really easy in hard moments to just start strategizing in our own strength and wisdom how to resolve the issue at hand. I have sensed the Lord so many times over the years when my mind is swirling and confused and not sure what to do. I have sensed Him whisper to my heart, “ I know what to do, ask me!” I have learned to STOP and seek His face before I let myself go down some dark hole of emotions and take it out on my kid. In fact, I take my deep emotions and frustrations to Him. He can handle it, and He can regulate and speak truth to those emotions. I have found that when I pray, God gives me fresh grace, a renewed heart, and a strategy greater than I could have come up with to truly resolve the issue at hand.

- Pull them out of the pack. Whenever one of my kids seems to be struggling, I find more intentional one-on-one time is required. Seasons of growth can typically cause emotions, attitudes, and resistance. It’s part of them trying to grapple with all they are feeling that they are unsure of how to manage on their own. I believe these seasons are actually meant to bind us closer, but a lot of times, it’s the enemy's strategy to divide us. To get us so irritated with our kids and them with us that division of heart comes into play. I know this is why the Lord has shown me this strategy. He has said, “Hey, when you find there is struggle between you and your kids, LEAN IN harder, even though your flesh wants to pull back.” I have found this is why one-on-one is so helpful. Take them for a treat, or dinner, or a walk. Ask them how they are, call out the fact that it’s been tense lately, and how you don’t want that. Remind them you love them and are here for them. Plan moments to bond deeper in these seasons. Create a memory together that counteracts the enemy’s plan to separate and divide. 

- Speak Life. The bible says there is life and death in the power of our tongue. We have to watch what we are saying about this hard moment, we have to watch what we are saying about our kids around them and even when they aren’t around. We must not only watch; we are not speaking death, but we must proactively speak life. Speak to the mountain and tell them to be removed; declare faith, hope, and love over our kids! Speak the mind of Christ over who they are. We have the authority and power to do so, and we MUST! The enemy likes to make us think we have to just sit there and take it in life, BUT we must know we have ALL the power through Christ! So let’s speak life, and let's guard our mouth from speaking death over our kids and the season we find ourselves in. 

I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit, who is our teacher and counselor. Remember how we “Mom it” REQUIRES Him daily. It’s ok; we don’t know how to do it all HE does, and He deeply and always wants to show us. It’s not all on us, He never meant us to carry this immense responsibility by ourselves. It’s His heart and plan that we would be in partnership with Him in this role. Not all the seasons will be easy, and some seasons will bring us to our knees in trusting God with our kids. However, I believe as we lean in, as we are intentional with time spent, and as we speak life, we will find these hard moments will be expedited and bond you closer with your kids. I am praying this for you and your homes this week! You got this, Mom!

You got this!

- Gabrielle