YMM is a weekly prayer series for parents who need a moment. Sign up at gracebased.com/ymm to get these prayers in your inbox every Monday.----------------For parents who could use some “thank yous” Dear Parent, Raising children is truly Kingdom work, and it is far from easy. So today we send some “thank yous” your way in an effort to remind you of the God who sees you, knows you, and loves you, and who has been with you every step of this (often thankless) parenting journey. Thank you for saying yes to the life of another, for surrendering parts of your own story and embracing sacrificial love. Thank you for the time, energy, and resources you have poured out for a child who, at the start, had nothing to offer you in return. Thank you for opening your heart to the devastating love of becoming a parent. Thank you for waking up at 5 a.m. to warm the bottle, rock the baby, stir the oatmeal, and entertain the toddler. Thank you for cleaning up all the messes— for sweeping and wiping and washing your hands raw from the bodily fluids, sand and dirt, paint and glue, peanut butter and avocados. Thank you for preparing all the meals, for scheduling all the appointments, for thinking ahead to the next season’s needs, for buying new shoes and clothes (and often neglecting your own worn-out wardrobe), for taking care of sick kids even when you have also gotten the flu and could use some TLC yourself. Thank you for managing the endless carousel of dishes and laundry, changing the sheets and sorting the socks. Thank you for rescuing those tiny Lego pieces from under the couch, for walking the dog they begged you for, for stocking the pantry with each child's favorite snacks, for making holidays feel special and staying up late to bake a cake, clean the kitchen, wrap the presents. Thank you for putting your own wants on hold, for saying “no” to that job opportunity because it meant missing an important dance recital. And… thank you for saying “yes” to that other job opportunity because it meant paying some bills and modeling the value of hard work. Thank you for ignoring the cultural pressures that prize appearances, wealth, and quick fixes— for listening to the voice of wisdom instead, valuing the eternal over the temporary, the heart of the child over mindless obedience. Thank you for shepherding the natural stubbornness of an adolescent when they think they know it all, for giving them space to grow even when it breaks your heart. Thank you for honoring their “aha” moments without pointing out… this is exactly what I’ve been trying to tell you for months. Through every season of parenting, thank you for the grace you’ve given them, the grace you’ve given yourself, and the way you believe and trust that Jesus is enough. He sees you, he knows you, he loves you. Family Connection Moment Consider an appreciation circle during a family dinner. Ask everyone to call out things they have recently appreciated about others, not to ask for applause or pats on the back, but to cultivate gratitude in all of you. Author: Alli R. Dahlgren ------------Find us: www.gracebased.com
