To the moms of older teens and young adults. For the times it feels like parenting in the dark. When they struggle. When it feels just too hard. When fear is vicious, and self-blame runs rampant. When worry fills the mind and the soul and the whole damn room. When it feels so very alone and uncertain of the next right move.

Hey Mom, Breathe!

I know you’re a good mom because bad moms aren’t asking; they don’t care.

All you have is your best and your best is enough.

So, close your eyes and pray! And believe!! 

Believe that all things will be used for good: to strengthen, to prepare, to train, to teach, to increase the wisdom that does not come from the words of others but from the depths of experience! 

Know that All things means ALL things! Even the hard things.

At just the right time! 

Lean back resting in His faithfulness even when you can’t see it and breathe in His peace which surpasses understanding in the midst of the storm. 

Lean back, eyes closed believing that God will complete the good work that He started. Believe that His promises are true! ‘Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is grown, he will not depart from it!’ 

Trust you’ve done your part and now it’s time that that child or children stand on their own two feet to make their beliefs, their faith, and their life their own. 

Trust that the mistakes are not the end of the story; rather, they are the beginning! The beginning of learning, of growing, of strengthening, and of wisdom. 

And ‘Know therefore that the Lord your God is Good; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations.’ (Deut. 7:9) Then release! 

Peel back the white-knuckle grip of fear and make your requests known to God and then release from the gut, that tight ball of angst.

Let go of what is out of your control and take hold of what is! Pray that your sweet eyes no longer need to keep watch knowing that God will be vigilant in doing so. Ask that His voice and call be the loudest and that He would keep them safe through it all. 

Trust that He will fill in all the places that you may have missed, heal all the places that you may have harmed, and enhance all the good that you so diligently planted.

God makes all things better; just consider the seed.

So now, close your eyes and rest! Peace be still. Release. 

Speak life. Believe the best. Listen more than speak. Let experience teach the lessons they missed. Pray and believe. 

And above all else, Love! 

Love always wins! Always! 

My goal is to be loving: patient, kind, humble, honoring, protective, believing the best, speaking the truth, full of hope, compassionate, full of grace, quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. 

And though I have failed more than I’d like throughout parenting, I trust God’s power is made perfect in my weakness!

May peace and love fill your mind and heart continuously and may you have many, many supportive people to encourage you and share your way.