Oceans in the Desert

Kathi Pelton

Today we are driving a long 800 miles to go home after a week with our oldest daughter and youngest son who live in California. Whenever I leave my kids my mom’s heart is torn. I look into their eyes and I know intimately every look, every longing, every need and fear. When we say good-bye we linger in the embrace longer than we ought to and my heart stays in the embrace long after we physically separate.

As a mom I have had to learn an important truth; our Heavenly Father loves them even more than I do. He knows their looks, longings, needs, fears and thoughts even more intimately than I do. Though that’s hard to believe, it remains true. Mom’s often struggle with the compulsion to carry their kids (young or grown) in a way that can quickly turn into anxiety or worry. They are carried with us every where we go no matter their age.

The truth is that my moments of worry have never helped my kids! I have learned throughout the years to daily bring them before the throne of grace and lay them down in the arms of the One who loves them most. The greatest gift that I can give my children is to daily surrender and dedicate them to the absolute faithfulness of God. Though there are days that tears of intercession pour; as I join my heart with the Lord’s regarding them. But when I arise from the place of prayer I am confident of His plans and protection over them. They are then carried in my heart by hope and faith in something and someone greater than me.

If you are carrying your children today in a way that is weighing you down and causing you anxiety then take them to the arms of Jesus. He will take your burden, your concerns and everything that they need into the infinite care of His perfect love. He knows the way that they are to go and He will lead them. He will comfort them and His faithfulness will be proven true in their lives.

In the place of prayer we do our best “mothering”. As we partner with the One who loves them most we become a bridge that they can cross over into the heart of God. In prayer and partnership with God we see fears turn into confident assurance and anxiety turn into peace as we nurture them with a heart that surrenders them to a greater love than our own.

The greatest affect that you will have in your children’s lives will happen in prayer. When they are nearby, hold them close but when you separate (whether to send them off to school or because they have grown into adults) bring them before God and surrender them to His love and care. He is more than enough for all that they need.

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