He gets it from his Father.

At our house we have had an ongoing game that started when we first became parents 14 years ago...  when our kids do something dumb or crazy or even something amazing we say, "Well, he/she gets that from.. mom/dad."  Sometimes, it's a dig because they are being totally annoying, sometimes it's an observation of them reflecting our own "greatness" and sometimes it's one of us seeing the ugly reality of who we really are, through one of our kids.

Today, I posted a brag post on FB about my almost 13 year old son and the character that he has displayed through a dismal football season.  I hesitated posting, but in the end I decided to give honor where honor is due, because he inspires me to be a better person.

It's real easy for people to look at that post and say something along the lines that "we must be doing something right" or something similar, so I wanted to write this post to clear that up.

HE GETS IT FROM HIS FATHER.

Every single time that my kids have had to struggle through hard situations I wanted to save them from the pain.  I have raged at God when I had to sit and watch my kids go through things that I couldn't fix.  I have asked Him to do it another way.  I've asked him to turn down the fire, afraid that it would destroy their tender hearts.  I can't tell you how many times I have asked, "WHY".

"Lord, why does it have to be this way?  Why are you letting them go through these hard things, don't you see how tender they are?  This is too hard."  This is what my prayers have looked like.

I've cried with them and I've cried for them.  I've questioned the plans of God for a long time.

Last night, I sat in the bleachers for the 16th time in two long years and watched him lose AGAIN.  13 losses.  Some of the losses were so bad that I cried in the car after ward in discouragement and disappointment... not because they lost, but because he had given it all he had.  Never once did I see him give up.  Never once did he look at the scoreboard and quit. These two losing seasons have changed my son.  He's a different person than the one who joined this team 2 years ago and I am humbled.

I am humbled because I know he didn't get that from me.  He gets that from His Heavenly Father.  All the things I begged Jesus to rescue my kids from were the very things that are making them the people they are.

You know what they get from me?  A sinful nature.  Selfishness, pride, impatience, anger issues, control issues and so much more.  If he was like me he would give up when things were hard.  He would cry and complain and pout.  He would quit and say it's not worth it.  If he was like me he would throw his hands up and say forget it...

But THANK GOD...  he is NOT like me.  He's better than me, because Jesus KNOWS better than I do.  He knows exactly what my kids need.  He knows the plans that He has for their lives and He is preparing them for those plans.  Plans that include determination and endurance, plans that take faith and hope, plans that won't be easy.  Plans to bring GLORY to GOD.

I could NEVER claim that any of the good things about them come from me.  I know what kind of parent I have been.  I know what kind of person I am.  I know the mistakes I've made and I know the basket case I can be sometimes.  I KNOW, that while I've been all over the place trying to figure myself out...  God has been in the background working through hard situations to produce character in their lives.

That's why I decided to go ahead and post that brag post on FB today, because really it's a praise about a God.  It's a praise to God that He takes a mess and makes a message.  He's the God who allows hard things in our lives, because He loves us and He wants to produce fruit that will bring glory to Him.   He wants to refine us in the fire and He knows just exactly what to use and how much pressure to apply to bring forth a vessel that He can use.

So, let me get out of the way and allow My Heavenly Father to do what only He can do because if there is anything good about my son...  he gets it from His Father.

I'm not sure where you find yourself tonight...  maybe you're a parent that's struggling with a wayward child, who has gotten into trouble...  It's equally as tempting to beat yourself up and say it's all your fault.  It's not.   It's easy to get bogged down in discouragement and disappointment...  but, friend lift up your head...  you don't need to carry that load.  I urge to leave that child in the Father's hand and be encouraged that's the best place for them.  Remember, "God is ABLE to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us." Eph. 3:20

Maybe you're in a situation with your child that is breaking y your heart for them, as they walk through a painful season.  Friend, lift up your head.   Be encouraged that God works ALL things out for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to HIS purpose.  Rest in knowing that God knows just how much fire they can handle.

Where ever you find your self tonight...  Trust God, He is faithful.