Be still.

After major meltdown #3 from one of our littles, occurring just before noon today, (and I'm talking major), I was left feeling a little deflated. My hubby and I are choosing verses to pray for each child as they begin the school year in a couple of weeks. We've nailed down a couple of verses for our super-tough, super-emotional, charmer of a spitfire, already!

But then I remembered yesterday at church, a couple of things jumped out at me. . .

First, so many of the young children around were acting *squirrely* and I had at least 5 different moms talking to me about it. It seems all the kiddos (and maybe some Moms too) are feeling the last little bit of summer tugging them. Everyone loves the freedom of summer for a while, but everyone also needs routine to balance it. I think lots of littles we know are ready for the next school year. They may not verbalize it, just like I can't. I'm actually getting in a funk because school starts in 2 weeks, and I will truly miss the extra time I have with my children. But, it's going to come whether I like it or not, and honestly, I'm a sucker for new beginnings--start of the school year, New Year's, start of summer--even the start of a new week! Basically, the littles seem restless right now, and I think some parents are too!

Second, we heard a sermon of Psalm 46 last night. You may know it from this verse. . .

 "Be still, and know that I am God." --Psalm 46:10

I know this verse and have it memorized, but it doesn't always pop into my head when I'm struggling with parenting. I tend to get dramatic and project my littles future selves into the situation and think, "Oh my stars! If he's throwing a tantrum about his brother taking a toy (that he wasn't even playing with), then when he's 17, and his friend gets the coveted spot on the basketball team and he doesn't, it's not going to be pretty!" Or, what about the girl, or job or job promotion he doesn't get? I just start beating myself up over the what's happening now, as if we are failing at parenting. 

But what I really need to do, rather than all the future projecting that I do, is to be still. God is in control. We are not failing. Our children just need us to guide them. This parenting gig, it isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. We aren't supposed to be done yet. And just because I've said, "Build each other up", "We use our hands for loving" "Obey your Mommy and Daddy" "Show God's love to others" and so much more, thousands of times, and it still doesn't always work, it's okay. This is a process that God is in control of and I just need to be still. Still parent. Still love. Still pray. But be still in Him.

**Click here if you are interested in finding verses for your children too!