Years ago I asked Ann, mother of nine children, for her best parenting advice. Hoping for a soliloquy, because I needed lotsa’ spiritual ammunition, I was even prepared to take notes.
Never one to mince words, she looked me in the eye and said, “Pray about EVERYTHING!”
That was it.
She didn’t expound other than giving me the example of potty-training, then re-emphasized, “Whatever stage you are going through, PRAY!”
Moving to Washington in 2004 with six kids ages two to 18 gave us much to pray about.
The biggest heart need was for friends. We all needed them.
It was especially challenging because I gave birth to the first five kids in about nine years, experienced a had a seven year period of barrenness, then had Rebekah.
If another family had teenagers, they didn’t have toddlers. The families that had toddlers, didn’t have teenagers.
We constantly, daily, prayed for friends for our children and for ourselves. We longed for friendship and fellowship.
Then I found a home school co-op that was four blocks from my house.
Amazing, huh?
Another answered prayer for a woman who doesn’t like to drive in traffic.
It was even more amazing to meet two other families who had teenagers, a 7-10 year gap, and a little girl. Girls who were kinda’ growing up as an only child because her siblings were so much older.
Last year we had a Keepers At Home group with our girls. Think Girl Scouts with spiritual purpose.
We enjoyed mother-daughter bonding as we hand sewed flower headbands. (How-to blogged in this post.)
The girls celebrated their handiwork and their friendships.
The moms rejoiced in fellowship and answered prayer.
We still marvel at the Lord’s gracious Hand in allowing divine appointments to cross our paths so we could travel the journey together.
He is a prayer-answering God.
Whatever stage you are at with your hubby, kids, ministry, health, or circumstances, the advice hasn’t changed since it was given to me over two decades ago ~
“Pray about EVERYTHING!”
Excellent advice! Thanks again for your wisdom.
That was some fantastic advice! Thanks for sharing. We also had a 10 yr old, 7 yr old. then a newborn and God has brought a few (very few!) families in our path which with to share our unique joys! Truly He is faithful.
Love your new look, so good to catch up wtih you!
Thanks for the reminder. I always need your posts 🙂