Parenting, Faith, and a Terrifying World

Worrying is nothing new. As parents we worry, that is what most of us do. As a stepmom to three teens and a first-time mom of a one-month old, I tend to fear the things I can't control. Times have changed, and of course we all want to protect our kids and make sure they're safe … because this world is dangerous, scary, and unpredictable.

In the past few weeks, I have found myself worrying. With three teens in school, worry kicked in on Friday, February 16 when two buses carrying Ramsay High School students, (where my 15-year old is a student) were involved in an accident and six students suffered minor injuries. On Tuesday, February 27, worry kicks in again when there was a shooting threat at Huffman Middle School (where my 13-year old attends), and a gun was found on the premises of the school; and on Wednesday, March 7, worry kicks in again when a shooting occurred at Huffman High School (where my 18-year old attends) and a 17-year-old girl was killed in a shooting at dismissal time --- last night I went to bed heartbroken, angry, confused, and, most of all, scared --- and even now as a first-time mom entrusted with the task of caring for a newborn, the world feels like a much more dark and scary place . . . so much that I'm nervous about sending my baby to daycare after my maternity leave is up. It seems as though our children are always giving us something new to worry about. But the Lord reminds us,

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

I think we can all admit that we all worry about all kinds of things, but worry is something we all know we aren’t supposed to do. Why ? Well, for one, it's not what God wants for people; and most of all, worry is the sin of having no trust in God --- and God does not want us to parent our children out of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. After all, the enemy knows that if he can catch us with worry, we will be unable to trust God . . . But what’s a parent who worries to do? . . . As parents, we are to PRAY for our children minds, bodies and spirits on a daily basis, and we are to give our worries to God in prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are commanded

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Parents, don't stop praying. God is faithful and hears the prayers of His people (Psalm 34:17). Do you BELIEVE that ?