In my devotion today on Crosswalk and Proverbs 31 Ministries, I talked about a situation where I felt frustrated and completely helpless as a mom. So I asked for God’s help and He came through with a powerful promise to help my son become a can-do kid, and help me become a can-do mom!
Andrew moved beyond who he was to who he could become with God’s help. He learned (and is still learning) that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength, (Phil. 4:13). It’s a spiritual lesson that’s become part of his spiritual legacy. A lesson that’s lasted for years. He was four when it happened and he just turned eleven yesterday!
Monday we talked here about our calling to teach God’s truths to our kids in everyday moments. All throughout January, I’ll be sharing on my blog about becoming a D6 family based on God’s instructions in Deuteronomy 6:5-9. I’ll also be partnering with the D6 conference/ministry each weekday to give away resources to encourage you and your kids along the way.
My story in today’s devotion a D6 moment when I saw what it meant to live out the principles in Deuteronomy 6 – to pass on God’s promises as we go along. God showed me real life application of His Word in the middle of a motherhood meltdown.
And the lesson lingered. It’s been applicable in the days that followed. A year or so afterwards, we were getting ready to leave for school and Joshua offered to help Andrew feed the dogs. Andrew smiled and said, “No thanks. I don’t need help. I’m a can-do kid!”
Just yesterday Andrew was struggling with anxiety. I shared how I have worries, too, and described how I write them down and give them to God. We talked about living in today and not tomorrow until it gets here. Then I read him the devotion and reminded him that he’s a can-do kid who can trust God with His concerns. Then we prayed Philippians 4:13, claiming once again that he can do all things through Christ who gives Him strength. He smiled so big and thanked me for reminding him.
My prayer today is that God will show us all D6 moments with our children so we can help them become can-do kids in Christ!
I also wanted to share promises God used with Gideon in Judges 6 to help him become a can-do kid:
- I am with you. v.12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.”
- Focus on the strength you have. v.14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
- You can do it! Remember, I am with you. v.16 The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”
I didn’t realize it then, but as I look back I see practical ways I applied this process and these promises with Andrew that day in the kitchen:
- I drew his attention away from something he couldn’t do and focused it toward something he could do.
- I showed him how to do it, and then I did it with him.
- Once he gained his confidence, I stepped back and watched as he completed his assignment with success.
- We celebrated the reality of his new name and talked about how good it felt to do new things.
God is so good! I love that these steps we can take with our children in various situations as we become a Can-Do Moms who are raising Can-Do Kids!
Copyright 2009. Renee Swope – All rights reserved.
We’re giving away two D6-mom resources today, that includeone copy of “Revolutionary Parenting” and one copy of my “Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child“ CD and chart to be selected from your comments today. Be sure to include your email in your comment so we can contact you if you win the give-away. Here are some things I’d love to know:
Has there been a time when you were able to share a promise or spiritual truth with your child in an everyday life moment? What hinders you or helps you look for those teachable moments? Are there other ways you are passing on your faith to your child? I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories and/or questions.
Every Friday, we’ll be giving away two tickets to the D6 Conference. So be sure to come back for more encouragement and resources from D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries!
Be sure to include your email so we can contact you if you win the give-away.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I love the stories and lessons that you have to offer. I have been blessed many times reading your emails and website.
As a mother of 5, this made me stop and think that I need to focus on what each of the kids can do instead of what others think they should be able to do.
Renee, great words once again. First of all I’m thankful for your message that I can be a “can-do Mom” needed to hear that today!!
But as far as my kids I think the amazing thing for me is the desire they have to want to know and their ability to remember. My oldest is almost 6 and next in line just turned 4 and they surprise me at times. Our MOPS mentor once spoke about making faith part of your daily life and don’t “dumb” it down for kids. If the spirit is working they will get it! That is so true. Just the other day my five year old came and asked me to open my Bible so we could read about the 10 plagues. He wanted to know and has talked about it since even when he has disobeyed. I am homeschooling him now and have had moments of “I can’t” but we too have referred to Phil. and in those moments we have the oppportunity to pause and pray, which has been a blessing. It usually comes at a time when I’m feeling like “I can’t” too.
It is just an honor and blessing to see their faith grow and watch them make connections. And at the same time mine is grownig too. Really it’s not because we are doing anything special or outlandish, but simply trying to live our faith and share it with them on a daily basis in the big things and the small.
Blessings, Jill
Thank you for this information! Just last night I was helping my daughter Shelby with her math homework. I asked her to get out the worksheet and lets look at it, she says to me I can’t do it! I said sure you can. No mom I can’t do it. She says this a lot when it comes to school work. She has struggled the last couple years and I have struggled with ways to help her. I continually pray for her. This mornings post is going to help me a lot. We got through the math worksheet and she did very well and when it was all finished I said to her see you can do it. She was excited and I was proud of her. God is continually giving me little gifts for my life like this blog. Thank you so much!
Hello,
Low self-concept and fear of failing seem to plague our whole family. It is difficult to watch our sons “give up”…some who are teen and pre-teen. (Even our eldest son who is past teen years struggles at times.) They seem held back by fears. At that age they don’t verbalize well what is truly in their heart and it often comes out in angry bursts of frustration. My heart aches for them because I know they have it in them to do well…with God’s help but I don’t know how to let them know that in a way they will accept.
How do you encourage them without being embroiled in the frustration of their seeming lack of interest?…It’s as if they don’t care. They hide behind video games and things that they know they can do well and avoid challenges to become all that they can be.
My children are older…do these things work for them? Is it too late to input into their lives a “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” attitude?
And when a parent such as myself has been pulling the load of trying to train the kids and get them to do what is right…and yet feels like such a failure myself…when one gets so weary from the journey…how do we get encouraged again?
Maybe sometimes it “mom” that needs the “can-do” attitude…that is my case…how I long for an encouraging word from someone who really believes in me…and from God Himself.
Looking for Gods’ shalom!
[email protected]
Great devotional on Prov 31. I have an Andrew who is much the same way. He is a twin and his brother really doesn’t get frustrated or care when he can’t do most things. So it is a challenge to encourage my Andrew to try things over and over to learn how to do something. I loved the sugesstion to try something different. I usually try hand over hand help or he does part I finish it. I love to see his face light up when he does something he thinks he can’t do. I have tried to use the same scripture to help him know that God is with him in all things he tries to do.
They are singers and love to memorize and learn by song, especially Andrew. We are also in the process of using the “Right Choice Bible” as a devotional for them. They look forward to it and ask for it everyday.
Heather Mikelson
[email protected]
Has there been a time when you were able to share a promise or spiritual truth with your child in an everyday life moment?
The truth is that difficulties in our lives are great opportunities to share God with our children, but sometimes we shy away from those areas because we don’t want our children to see us as weak or unstable. My husband and I went through a difficult situation for several years. He was in an job where there were some dishonest practices going on, although he was innocent. He tried his best to defend himself, but it appeared he may be brought to trial and had little defense. There was a very real possibility that he would be tried, found guilty and sent to jail-for a crime he had no part of. During that time, we felt it was best for our kids to be sheltered from the issues as we felt they wouldn’t understand and would just cause them to be fearful, so we waited.
When the trial had finally come to an end ( a mere 4 1/2 years later!) we were able to share with them the hardship we faced, along with the fear and the real emotions we were feeling. Above all else, we were able to share with them how God used this unfortunate event to bring their father to Christ, how He took care of us and worked through us, and how faithful God is to His children. We pointed out how many of God’s promises were proven true during the hardship, and reminded them of the awesome promise of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Several weeks after that, my then 15 year old son made a commitment to the Lord and did an “about-face” in his life!
Since then, God has been using our children as vessels of His light for others. Our home is one that is centered on the Lord, and I am anxious to see how the Lord will work in our family to bring Him honor and glory as HE continues to be faithful to all of His promises to us.
He can be trusted in any situation because He NEVER breaks a promise. He is there, He has your best in mind, and He loves you unconditionally. How great is that?
Thanks for your insight. It becomes so discouraging when you can’t find the right words to give to your child to encourage him. I’m praying to be a “can do” family.
I just found your blog today for the first time, and in a very timely way! I have 3 girls, ages 6,9, and 12. We continually have a problem with losing important things like Brownie vests, party invitations, etc. I was really stressing over a few lost things this morning and the verses you mentioned, esp Phil 4:13 were so encouraging. My girls need to feel strengthened at the beginning of our day, not discouraged, so thank you for lifting my spirits Godward!
I try to use Jesus and the Bible whenever I can especially when they are afraid like ‘ the Lord has plans for us to prosper…’ The problem that hinders me is that I need to learn more verses off hand and the ones that I do remember are more for repermanding like ‘take the log out of your own eye before taking the splinter out of your brothers’………I feel the best way to past on my faith is just in the way I live and interact with others. Thats a big one. In a society that is rude and selfish I need to show my kids the opposite. My one child tends to be selfish at home but at school I find she sticks up for friends, tries not to gossip and is kind to everyone. Something I’m saying is getting through!!
Good morning! I loved your devotional and it has come right on time as I struggle to encourage my oldest son to “never give up”. Last year my 8 yr old son was accused of writing a mean message to another student. We talked about the situation and he tearfully told me that he didn’t do it. I told him to remember that God is our avenger and we prayed. The teacher soon found out that it wasn’t my son who wrote the message when the real culprit later confessed. It was very hard to see my son go through this, but I am thankful that my son learned that he can depend on the Lord in any situation, good or bad.
Renee..
May I share on behalf of my precious daughter in law? Our family has been shaken to its core when over the holidays my son left this wonderful girl and my 3 year old grandson for a woman he met on the Internet. We have had a D6 family for generations but Satan’s hold on my son began with pornography and has been festering. Now it has come to a head an spilled its putrifying effects on so many people.
Through these last few days my daughter in law has been consistent in her devotional time with their son. She points him to God and calmly explains how sin has affected his daddy and how sin means we disobey God and His word. From the depths of her sorrow, she has been able to show godly strength when dealing with our grandson and continuously teaches him God’s truth and scripture even in the midst of this ordeal. She is pouring God’s word into him faithfully as they sit, as they walk, as they lie down, as they rise up. She is able to contain her grief in my grandson’s presence and has displayed a strong faith in the Lord which is the greatest ‘can-do’ example I can think of.
We live states away and wouldn’t be able to attend any type of conference but I wanted you and others who read this blog to know God is Faithful. He honors obedience to Him and His word. No matter what happens in our lives our children must see that our faith is real, that it is practical, that it ‘works’ in all situations so they can pick up the torch and carry that light even when some who go before them have dropped it so miserably. We covet the prayers of God’s people throughout this land.
Good Morning,
The Lord has blessed me with opportunity to homeschool my 3 children. I praise the Lord for this, especially since my husband had a not so good experience with homeschool himself as a child.
To add to the blessing, my dh is an unbeliever.
There are many times that I become afraid that the children would rather follow after daddy.
But His grace is sufficient. My heart is filled with joy, when I hear them playing with “the sword of the spirit”… or when one of them encourages the other to have the same attitude of Christ Jesus.
Praise the Lord. I can sow the seeds, and He will always give the increase. Though not perfect in my seedsowing 😀
One area we are working on this month is specifically kindness, as one fruit of the spirit. It amazes me the lessons we learn together, and how each seed grows in their hearts.
My children question this week has been “what kind of fruit is growing in your garden?” A phrase I used when talking about the fruit of the Spirit 😀
So many times I do not measure up as the “spiritual” parent. Unfortunately, there are probably times it is hard to tell the believing parent from the unbelieving parent. But at all times God is good! Sometimes, I wonder why I have been blessed with my 3… but the Lord has been good to me. And there is no error in His ways!
With purpose,
Anonymous
Hi! Thanks for sharing your personal story of helping your son! I have a friend who is really struggling right now with her 7 yr old son and I am going to pass it along to her! My son has just turned 2 and we are so excited to be able to see him learning about God and the Bible. We are currently teaching him through the use of songs. He learns them so quickly!! Then we talk about what the song means. It is hard to know how much he actually understands, but at least we know he is hearing it! His favorite right now is Bee Humble. What a good lesson for all of us!
Thank you so much for your story about your son. I know what you mean. I have a 7 year old son and two step sons 6 and 4. Sometimes it hard for all of them to try new tasks. The 4 year old just started pre-K and has had some issues getting settled in. The other main issue we have is the children talking hateful to each other. We have recently started using scripture for them to understand that Jesus does not like hateful words. We have started using WWJD..everytime one of them talks or acts in a hateful manner, we ask them, “Would Jesus say that, would Jesus like those hateful words?” It has really seems to help. Hopefully God will continue to put words in our mouths as parents and actions in our body to raise our children to be Godly people and pass it on to the next generations!
Good morning Renee!
I too have a child who is reluctant in trying anything he might remotely be close to failing. As God has taken me on a journey of running, he has been watching. After attending a few races, God opened an opportunity to simply share what I have been learning through the same scripture verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But honestly, it’s the moments where I don’t feel the pressure to have to impart wisdom that will make or break my child, but one that comes so naturally from my words and actions because it’s so real in my life. It’s then I know for sure it’s the Lord working, and that is when my child can see faith fleshed out.
On a practical note, one of the phrases I find myself repeating often is, “Emma, you need to brush your teeth a little bit longer”. One night, I found myself saying, “Emma, why don’t you try singing a song while you brush your teeth, that way you’ll know when your time is up?” Honestly, it came out half-heartedly, a moment when I was thinking about something else, not consciously giving eye-contact, or giving any confidence that it could work. For three days now, I’ve been beautiful blessed with a hummed rendition of “Angels We Have Heard On High”, and it’s the most beautiful sound. AND her teeth are sparkling! Thank you Jesus!
One concept my husband and I are discussing currently is how to instill encouragement in our son (currently playing Upwards basketball), yet simultaneously balancing it with the right lessons in being humble as well as a teammate. His confidence is WAY TOO bolstered at the moment and it comes out in a belittling fashion (He’s one with a matter-of-fact manner, not realizing his knowledge comes across rude and arrogant at times). I do believe there are verses in Proverbs to direct us to, just can’t think of them off-hand.
Thanks for this post Renee!
Praise the Lord for leading me to your site today! I have four children (age 5 and under) and am always looking for sound Christian parenting advice and suggestions.
I think the thing that hinders me most in constantly sharing the truth of God’s Word with my children is my own lack of Scripture memorization. I am relatively new to in-depth Bible study and am still trying to hide God’s promises in my own heart and mind. This year as I read Scripture, I am highlighting God’s promises in yellow, and His attributes/character in orange, so I can more easily reference and absorb them any time I open up my Bible. I pray that it will help me impart them on my children more often! But I, myself, must know my Scripture first, in order to be able to past the Truth on to my children in everyday situations.
So most of the time I use songs or hymns, which often times contain (or are based on) direct Scripture. I love music and songs stick with me so easily. This morning my 5 year old said she wanted to stay home with us today instead of going to Kindergarten, so as we waited for the bus, I showered her with songs, such as This is the Day (that the Lord has made). It put a smile on her face and helped her put on the right attitude as she headed off for a day at public school.
I look forward to visiting your site often. Thanks for what you do!
Renee, great words once again. First of all I’m thankful for your message that I can be a “can-do Mom” needed to hear that today!!
But as far as my kids I think the amazing thing for me is the desire they have to want to know and their ability to remember. My oldest is almost 6 and next in line just turned 4 and they surprise me at times. Our MOPS mentor once spoke about making faith part of your daily life and don’t “dumb” it down for kids. If the spirit is working they will get it! That is so true. Just the other day my five year old came and asked me to open my Bible so we could read about the 10 plagues. He wanted to know and has talked about it since even when he has disobeyed. I am homeschooling him now and have had moments of “I can’t” but we too have referred to Phil. and in those moments we have the oppportunity to pause and pray, which has been a blessing. It usually comes at a time when I’m feeling like “I can’t” too.
It is just an honor and blessing to see their faith grow and watch them make connections. And at the same time mine is grownig too. Really it’s not because we are doing anything special or outlandish, but simply trying to live our faith and share it with them on a daily basis in the big things and the small.
Blessings, Jill
Hi! Thanks for sharing your personal story of helping your son! I have a friend who is really struggling right now with her 7 yr old son and I am going to pass it along to her! My son has just turned 2 and we are so excited to be able to see him learning about God and the Bible. We are currently teaching him through the use of songs. He learns them so quickly!! Then we talk about what the song means. It is hard to know how much he actually understands, but at least we know he is hearing it! His favorite right now is Bee Humble. What a good lesson for all of us!