How many of us look at our children and wonder, who is this child? Who will they become? What will they be?
As a mother of
two delightful blessings, I vividly remember the barrage of feelings
that over came me when I first looked into my son’s beautiful face. No
one word can describe the joy, amazement and definite fear that I felt
when I realized that I was responsible for the care and direction of
this exquisite little being.
Yes, it is normal
to be concerned about your child’s future, but what I was experiencing
was borderline nutty. Worry became a new friend and stress was a
garment that I put on like a wool sweater on an August day in New York.
Everything was an item of review, evaluation and extensive research
from preservatives, TV shows, germs on people, and loud noises.
Everything was going to make him into something that I could have
avoided if I just knew more about it. It was as if I was saying, "if I
let him eat white sugar that would force or cause a chain reaction of
behavior that would make him want to rob a bank when he is an adult."
There is nothing like too much education to completely confuse you.
My precious son
was a blessing from God; my husband and I were very aware of this
because we were told by doctors that we couldn't have children. When my
son was a baby I could sense a call on his life, and that too came from
our merciful Father, but somehow the responsibility of raising a "man
child" became frightening. Doing things by the book became almost an
obsession. Frustration started palling around with Worry as I became
burdened with my parenting. There was no joy and no peace. What a
curious position to be in! I was/am a Christian woman, but my faith was
not involved in my parenting. I allowed life to dictate to me what God
invested in me even before my birth. It was like someone gave me a
beautiful car, and had it customized expressly for my husband and me,
but instead of driving the car, we locked it in the garage, covered it,
and just read about how great the car was. We didn't enjoy it, we just
looked it to make sure it was okay. Well of course a child is more
precious than a car. When God gives you gift it is for you to enjoy,
not being paranoid. Everything had to be perfect. When you strive to
reach goals that are unrealistic you find yourself very alone and very
burdened.
I knew that
something was not right early on when my then three-year-old prince
looked stressed out. We had him enrolled in the best classes and the
best schools and the best this and the best that. He had the schedule
of a CEO.
My son became an
idol in my life. Thank God for Jesus! I was on the wrong path but,
because God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He was able to find me
where I was. It was time to get back to basics! Worry and Frustration
were replaced by Prayer and Faith in God’s Book of books and the
garment of stress went to Goodwill with righteousness as its
replacement. Prayer and the Word of God became my final authority. Yes
I prayed for my children, yes I knew that God was involved in my life,
but now it was time to be specific with every area of my life. God was
already there but I had to give Him the control.
I had to willfully make Him Lord over everything in my life.
While
studying the bible and praying some very simple truths were deposited
in my heart. Truths like; if I teach my children about the Lord and His
ways, they will have great peace and when they grow older they will not
depart from Him. I also learned that if I needed wisdom I just needed
to ask God for it and He gives it liberally, and that the fruit of my
womb is blessed! We all know these things, right? Sure, in our minds,
but does it translate to our businesses, our child rearing, our
everyday relationships?
Then while on my search, a gem from my own childhood jumped out at me from Jeremiah 29:11–13, which reads:
For
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, They are plans for good
and not evil, to give you a hope and a future. in those days when you
pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for
me in earnest.
That Scripture
rang like a Church bell in my heart! I realized that the same God who
created the universe has a definite plan for my family, and that our
success was already in His plan. I needed to look to the Master
Builder’s blueprints, to the original plan, from the ultimate parent—God!
The realization
that my son's destiny was no longer head knowledge was now alive in me.
I was a young mother, yes, but my Counselor was and is the Ancient of
Days and, through the Holy Spirit, I had instant access to Him 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. I realized that being a covenant child of the
Most High God myself also meant that my husband and I have a Senior
Partner in our marriage and our parenting who never runs out of answers
and is always available.
What a simple revelation; but no one can describe the amount of relief that I experienced with my new perspective.
God
was and is just as interested in my son’s destiny as I am, if not more.
He was so interested that He invested His own blood to ensure all of
our success.
So
what did I do? I had to trust the Lord with all my heart and lean not
to my own understanding. If I don’t know what to do that very second,
but I acknowledge Him in all my ways, He will direct my path, my
husband's path, and my children’s paths.
Now, every day I place my children into the hands of a very capable Father—my
senior partner. Do I still watch their diet, what they watch on
television and all that parental stuff? Yes, absolutely, but only with
the knowledge that the destiny God has for my children is set in stone.
My job is to be a steward over them mentally, emotionally, and
physically. They are a gift, not a possession. That perspective is a
point of agreement with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in the name
of Jesus, not agreement with the worry.
My three-year-old
prince is now entering his teenage years and his baby sister is almost
seven years old. I can rest on God's promises and plans for their
lives. God’s plans are for good and not evil, to give all of us a hope
and a future! Yes, my precious blessings love pizza, skateboarding, and
video games, but they also love to praise the Lord and fellowship with
their peers in Christ. No, they are not done yet, but none of us are.
God is directing their paths and I can thank God that I am a wife and
mom who is not stressed out about their future.
Remember…we may not do everything perfectly but the Perfect One is always perfecting us.
About the Author
Tina Boursiquot may be contacted at YourGenesis.com or email info@yourgeneis.com. Tina Boursiquot is a work-at-home mom, homeschooler, network marketer (http://www.coastaldirector.com), record label executive (http://www.doxaent.com) and seminar speaker (http://www.yourgenesis.com). Her overall mission is to bring the message of refreshing, restoration and personal revival through mixed-media outlets. Your Genesis,
her first book, is almost complete. To reserve a copy of her
publication or book her for your event or engagement contact the Doxa
Ent. Speakers Bureau at tina@doxaent.com
