Downcast??? Put Your Hope In God!

This morning my heart is HEAVY....parenting can be tough.  Sometimes I wish God would have written an entire book of His Word on how to parent - with real-life examples and how to react, what to say, what NOT to say, how to help them learn from their mistakes, and the perfect consequences to give to them.  But, even as I write all those great reasons for a "manual" on parenting...I realize that if I had all of that at my disposal, I wouldn't be nearly so inclined to rely on God for the answers or spend as much time praying about & for my children.  Yes, God always does what is best and He has given us everything we need to make it - His GRACE is all-sufficient!

Yesterday a friend gave a verse to me from Psalm 25 (v.5).  It talks about our hope being in God ALL DAY LONG.  I love that thought...I think so many times I start out my day hoping in the LORD and then the events & dilemma's of life crowd in and overwhelm that hope.  I need to be hoping in Him constantly, not just during my morning devotions.  How much better would I parent my children if I was hoping in God continually....trusting in His Holy Spirit to do His work in me and my children, as we go along?

The following is my own version of Psalm 25 - my prayer this morning.....

To You O LORD, I lift up my soul, for it is You alone that I trust.

Do not let my children be put to shame or let the evil one have any victory in their lives.

Give Jacob, Emily & Zachary tremendous hope in You, that they may experience real peace in their hearts.

Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me to follow You into Truth.  

You are my Savior and my hope is in You constantly.

God, You are good and upright and You guide the humble into Your will.

Help my children to fear You all the days of their lives, that they may know the benefit of Your blessings forever.

All Your ways, O LORD, are loving and faithful. 

For the sake of Your name, LORD, forgive me when I stumble and lose my focus on You. 

Help my eyes to be ever on You, LORD, for only You can pick me up again.

Turn to me, and strengthen my spirit, God, for I am lonely and weak from the afflictions of this world.

Trouble multiplies all around me, daily - but You, O God are quick to answer my call.

You guard my life and lives of my children.  

Rescue us, LORD; Give us the faith to put our trust in You and take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

May integrity and uprightness protect us because our hope is in You!

Amen!