Letting Go of Our Need For Acceptance

Our children need reminders they are accepted, loved, and adopted children of God. Today, I welcome The Better Mom contributor, Nikki McCullough, to encourage us to let go of our own desires for our children and trust God’s plan. -XO, Ruth 

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In a world full of pressure and stereotypes, I need to take a few moments to stand on my soap box and yell some words of encouragement to you today, sweet mommas. Don’t be afraid to let your kids be different! Don’t be afraid to let your kids stray from what the world says is normal! And don’t be afraid to let your kids fail!

Okay, I’ll step down now and pull myself together.   

I know this momming thing isn’t easy. And oh, how it makes us so happy to see our kids being asked to join in with a group of kids and watch them be “accepted”. But you know what? I want my kids to know that they are accepted and loved no matter WHO wants to be their friends and no matter WHAT other kids think about them. Because they are accepted, loved, and adopted children of God! And THIS IS ENOUGH. 

Didn’t make the soccer team that all your other friends are on? STILL ACCEPTED.

Don’t have a 4.0 grade point average? STILL LOVED.

Didn’t get invited to that special party that everyone is going to? STILL A CHILD OF GOD.

We have to be willing to let go of our own desires for our children and trust that God has got this and He has a perfect plan for their lives. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Friends, trust me when I say, it’s all going to be okay.  Even when it feels too hard and painful, remember that God is molding and shaping your children into exactly who HE wants them to be.  Pray this along with me today,

Father, I know you love my children even more than I do.  Help me to trust you.  I pray that you would continue to guide me and give me the knowledge that I need to raise these young people into arrows for you!  And help MY own motives and need for acceptance disappear as I let them go willingly into your loving arms.  Thank you for your love and mercy that is new every single day. In Jesus’s sweet name, Amen!!

Blessings!

Nikki