Parents, Lean on the Lord

Summertime in Alaska is the best time. Even with the relatively dreary weather we've had this particular year, there's nothing better than the freedom of getting out and exploring the beautiful world that God created for us. Of course, for many parents, summertime is a struggle no matter how beautiful it is outside. The kids are home, and the schedules parents carefully crafted are left in the classroom.

Summer break forces parents to change gears and tactics. Every family, no matter the dynamic, experiences a break in their routine when school ends. The shifts in daily rhythms can be a struggle. We may feel alone in our parenting decisions with many questions like "Am I doing the right thing?" or "Why do I feel so overwhelmed?"

Most, if not all, parents ask those questions when raising children. Frequently, we don't know who or where to turn to.

These kids are not just ours though, they are also God's children. God loves our children just as much as we do, but He loves us too. He wants us to be happy and confident in our parenting.

God hasn’t left us alone to raise these children. As we carefully study the scriptures, we find many examples of parenting – both good and bad. Just a quick look at a couple of these parents shows us how God has a guiding hand in our children’s lives – through us.

My favorite father in the Bible is Joseph—Jesus Christ's earthly father. Not much is said specifically about Joseph, but we know he was a “just man” (Matthew 1:19). His example within the stories of Jesus’s early life teaches us about patience, willingness, and obedience. Joseph was called to raise Mary’s child – though the child wasn’t biologically his. Despite the big ask, Joseph knew he wouldn’t be alone in raising her child. Instead of walking out, he walked by faith and trusted God.

But more than that, Joseph made sure that Jesus knew who He was. He watched in awe as his son grew into an amazing young man who would someday save him. We talk a lot about Mary, and her strength, but often forget that Joseph was Christ's steward while He was on the earth. Joseph exemplified what raising a strong child to the Lord could look like.

Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, shows us how trusting the Lord allows blessings to come. It just so happens that Hannah and Samuel’s story crosses with Eli’s, which demonstrates how turning from the Lord hurts us and our children.

Hannah was a woman who struggled with infertility. Hannah asked the Lord for a child to raise. She specifically told Him that she needed help. Hannah bravely made a promise to the Lord that if she was to conceive a son, she would return him to the Lord and teach him to walk in God's ways and serve Him always. Miracle of miracles, she had a son called Samuel and when he was old enough, she took him to the temple so he could learn from the High Priest: Eli.

Conversely, Eli had two sons. They were also priests serving in the temple. They were abusive to God’s children. Eli told them that their behavior wasn't cutting it, so to speak, but they ignored him and so he continued to ignore their wicked ways.

When a Man of God arrived to warn and rebuke Eli about his sons' actions and behavior, Eli was told pointedly: if you don't restrain or remove your sons, they will die and so will their children.

It’s interesting to look at the paths of these parents. Hannah’s and Joseph’s righteousness and sacrifice lead to their children being strong in the Lord and mighty examples for us today. God helped them in their parenting journey, and their children became prophets of God. Eli lost both of his sons – though they were also poised to be priests.

We learn from these individuals that God knows our children and our hearts and desires for our children. He wants us to be successful parents, even during the hard parts. If we open our hearts to Him, He will be there with us every step of the way.

I know that God is with me in my parenting challenges day by day. From the ice cream spilled on the floor to the epic overwhelmed meltdowns, He knows what I and my children need. There is no doubt that if I'm listening to Him, He’s anxious and happy to lend a hand.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches, “[The] Lord loves you. He is with you. He stands beside you. He is your strength in guiding your children to make righteous choices.”

This summer, when you’re fatigued from adding an extra daycare drop off or carting everyone off to the park, you are not alone. God is there to support us and to send help to buoy us up. He created this amazing world for us to explore, He created this amazing child for you to love, and He created an amazing you to parent them.

Ami Reece is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is a mother, the blogger behind Momisms, and an aspiring author. When she isn’t putting pen to paper, she’s experimenting in the kitchen as an amateur baker.