Chapter 14 - Growing in Wisdom and Favor

I think this chapter really highlights the all important role that parents have in the spiritual training of their children. 

I'm fascinates me to consider the years of Jesus' boyhood that we know nothing of. I'll be taking that his-story class in heaven for sure! 

I'm also so grateful that Jesus grew, became strong and was filled with wisdom for me. He walked a path that we all attempt but he did it perfectly in our place! 

Brainstorming with other Christians on how they spiritually train their own children is so inspiring! We've looked at Mary and fleshed out what we can tell by what Scripture shares with us on this topic. We've also looked at current moms that are "mothering like Mary". Susan had more great ideas that she shares in today's reading. I especially appreciated her ideas on how she parents her son at Prep. Wasn't I JUST saying this was a challenge for me? Thank you, Jesus! 

I was blessed to be born and raised in a Christian home with parents that spiritually trained me and my siblings. Many of my ideas, habits, etc. stem from my experience growing up. Other ideas come from books I've read, brainstorming with fellow Christians, Pinterest (let's be honest) and other places I've stubbled across.  But I am always amazed at the ingenuity and creativity of those parents that did not have a Christian home to grow up in and yet despite this disadvantage, are following God's command and doing it well! It's the Holy Spirit that truly equips us all, regardless of our childhood experiences. That is so encouraging! 

Mothering Like Mary

Reading Susan's memories of her mom is also inspiring. When she writes my mom taught us to live in the Lord - I pray that my kids would be able to say that about me, too. I worry though that they'd have a less complimentary answer. I'm sure I make things way more complicated than they need to be. Living in the Lord sounds simple but I somehow manage to run circles around that. I fall short of doing that perfectly which is exactly why I need my Saviour!

Ponder

You were not randomly selected to be your child's mom. What unique perspective has God prepared you to share as a mom?

I have the unique perspective of having become a mother through both the biological way and through adoption. 
I became pregnant with my first right away. It was too easy:) Everything happened as I expected it to happen. What to Expect When Your Expecting was my go-to book. I guess I took it for granted that my experience was my right. A given. Until my perspective changed.
#2 did not come easily. It didn't come at all biologically! Now all of a sudden I was angry that "my right" wasn't given to me. But it also made me realize how miraculous pregnancy is. It doesn't just take two to tango that create a new life. It's many amazing biological events that have to be just right. God truly is the author of life and opens our wombs when he sees fit to give us just the right child. 
#2 was born in our hearts through adoption. The anticipation of this child was so great and took years to come to fruition. We survived numerous background checks, physicals, endured an intrusive home study, spent money, flew in a plane for a day and .... waited. There was no doubt in our minds as we held our new baby that she was meant for us. God had orchestrated all those events to lead up to this. 
And as challenging and difficult as many of those years held, it drew me closer to my Lord as I waited on his answer, his timing and I prayed that my will would be conformed to His. I'm now able to better understand others that endure the hard road of infertility and encourage those that pursue the wonderful, roller coaster journey of adoption. I also have a huge appreciation for babies born into families the "regular way" because that too is a gift from God to that family.