Up early and no one else is stirring. My heart is so full and yet as a Mother there are tender places in my heart touched by my children. Fears for them in this world of chaos and worldly ambitions. I glance at them sleeping, their souls calm and at peace and my heart is lit up like the brightest star. I cannot believe the Lord has entrusted me with such precious little ones to love and guide. I am aware every single day that my words and actions have the ability to either break down or build the garden within their own souls. I fail often but I know that when I fail God is there filling in the crevices and extending grace.

I fear for my children because I know their weaknesses, I know their struggles and I know their hearts. I know this world can take and take when you are tender and loving and break down when you are different. Yet, more than this world I know that God is greater and stronger, I know He has overcome the world and I must entrust them into his hands. And so I choose today (as it is a choice every single day) to encourage instead of control – because I know and believe that my Lord is stronger and better than I. These little hearts have souls and these souls are in little people, I want to treat them how I want to be treated. I want to hear them, and I want them to feel known and loved no matter what struggles they have. To know they have a home wherever I am, and that their permanent home is in the Lord alone.

My heavenly father has access to my children’s souls, not me. I desire everyday to walk my faith out in front of them. My faith will be caught more than I can ever teach it. And when I am short tempered, upset unjustly and impatient I am grateful the Holy Spirit pings my heart and I am led to seek forgiveness of those I have hurt. This has taken years of practice and surrender – I must allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives in the same way. Sowing and Harvesting do not transpire overnight, it takes years. We must extend grace to our children as they grow and learn, as we are also growing and learning. As they are purging their hearts of bad habits, just as we must do.

Friends, love them hard, they are gifts. Your gifts entrusted to you. Do not focus so much on their actions but on their heart behind said action. It is their heart that will never change, it is their heart that you want to reach. Their actions, same as yours, are a reflection of your heart. If your children are struggling look at what is being fed to their soul, to their ears and their eyes. Look at your own life, your own actions, words and habits … much much more is caught than taught. So much more.