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We have spent the last four weeks being encouraged by the words of some very special moms as they have shared their wonderful insights into how prayer has impacted their families.
This week we are capping off the series with another very special guest!
Kristin of Sweet Country Life has been a lovely friend to us since even before our Picket Fence days. Her blog is filled with charming, honest and sincere snippets from her Sweet Country Life but more than anything, her love for the Lord and her family shine through in every word.
Let’s welcome Kristin now as she shares with us from her heart…
~Filling In The Gaps~
What a great topic….
And right away. I felt and had the need to share that one of the most powerful ways that I can and have prayed for my children is to pray that God will “fill in the gaps.”
What does that mean exactly?
Well, we all know…that the moment they place that new baby in our arms. Whether born to us or adopted. That we are so utterly sure that we will love this child unconditionally. That we will do our best and that we will be the mostperfect parents…Ever.
And as you well know.
Perfection is a myth.
And no matter how much we desire to do our best with the raising of our children. We are human. And so are they. We will stumble and we will fall.
And at times…we will fail.
We will fail them.
We will fail ourselves.
And we will need help.
We will need Him.
And whether you are a seasoned mother.
Or a new mommy.
It’s so very important that you know this.
You are not alone.
And the successes and failures of your children do not rise and fall with you.
Oh yes.
It’s extremely easy to pat ourselves on the back when our children are successful!
But, what about when our children….fail at something?
Do you also feel the failure in your job as parent.
Most likely.
And it can be extremely painful.
However….
You have a very important and much needed tool at your disposal. And my friend, it is the most powerful tool of all.
The power to pray that God will fill in the gaps.
It will change your life.
And that of your children.
Isn’t that amazing?
Many, many times I have asked Him, begged Him, to fill in the gaps of my parenting choices.
To stand in the middle of where I think I may be succeeding or am sure that I am failing.
I pray that He draws them near.
That He lifts them up and pulls them forward.
That it is He who changes their heart.
Who convicts them between right and wrong.
That bathes them in peace.
That shows them the path.
That beckons righteousness and humility.
Despite my most well meaning of intentions.
Oh sure, I may think that I am doing all of the molding and shaping.
Bending their lives in the directions that I think are best with my limited knowledge of the future.
But the truth is…
I have zero knowledge of their future.
And I need Him.
Because He is the one who knows.
He is the only hope and trust that I have, because He loves these children, my children, His children. More that I can ever imagine.
And that is powerful, powerful stuff, isn’t it?
And so freeing.
There is freedom in giving up the control.
Freedom in knowing that although I do my best.
And sometimes not so best.
He is better.
He will see them through.
And so for me, when I think of the way that praying for my children has shaped me, challenged me, and nurtured my heart and soul.
Or my children for that matter.
This is what I wanted to share with all of you.
May God bless you on your journey, with hope and peace.
Be encouraged…
You are doing a wonderful job of loving your children.
God knows our hearts and desires and He will give us the strength, love, tools and help that we need!
Kristin
Wow! We thank you so much Kristin for this wonderfully encouraging and truth-filled message today. What a relief it is to know that God will fill in the gaps for us and for our children if we are willing to trust Him!
![picketfence_20010_thumb[18]](https://lh3.ggpht.com/-cimUM2g-OqI/T2zXgGwuNSI/AAAAAAAAISM/P2QFwkLwcL8/s1600-h/picketfence_20010_thumb%25255B18%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png "picketfence_20010_thumb[18]")
Wow. I clicked your link from The Polka Dot Closet to find some new DIY ideas and found this post instead. I SO needed this today, not just for my family but for myself. Thank you so much for doing this and to Kristen, your post was amazing and so inspiring to me. He tries so hard to reach us, no matter how many distractions we throw in his path 🙂
What a beautiful, eloquent, heart-warming, inspiring (did I miss anything) post! Beautifully said! xo Diana
I had no idea about this. I’m anxious to see the whole series. (hugs)
I loved this series!!! My husband and I don’t have kids yet, but I have saved all the virtues, so I can pray for them when we do! I’m also sending this to a friend who just had a baby – she’ll love it! Thanks so much!
I have enjoyed this so much what a Blessing
xxoo
Pam
What a blessing to read this today. I have prayed many times for God’s grace to “catch” my children when they fall because of my mistakes or something I didn’t teach them. Does that make any sense at all? I love praying for God to fill in the gaps.
blessings to you all…
Once again, God’s timing is perfect! I’m waaaay behind on blog visiting, but this morning I finally read this post, and Kristin has beautifully written what I have so often prayed and claimed in my heart for my children. They are now in their late 20s, and I still pray that God will fill in the gaps (but I never used those words until now). What wonderful imagery. Thank you Kristin, Heather, and Vanessa — and I wish a blessed celebration of our risen Lord for each of you. Happy Easter!