Week 11!

Challenge:I know we all have things we don't enjoy or that make us anxious. For me, one of those things is vomit. Now to say it makes me anxious would be an understatement - it is truly a phobia that is out of control. Literally, every place I am in I make mental notes of where the bathrooms are in case I need to vomit and I make note of the exits in case those around me might puke. My spot in the bed changes depending on which side is closer to the toilet, etc. Just showing you... it is a true phobia. I have always wondered how I would handle the stomach flu as a parent and these last few weeks I have found out! Three out of the five of us have had the stomach flu over the past two weeks and this past weekend we got it again. Anyway, this has sent my anxiety way over the edge. While fretting about what to do my husband very loving said to me, "Do you see how you are breeding a culture of fear?" He was right. My anxiety was causing my daughter to be anxious. Wow. Now, Jason and I have always said that we want to be "cycle breakers" from some of the issues that run in our families, but this was the first time that I realized there are truly negative strongholds in my life that I might pass along to my children if I'm not careful. This wasn't passed down to me from any parent or relative - it's mine to own. I don't want to breed a culture of fear and anxeity over germs for my children - or  anxiety over anything. I don't want to breed a culture of unforgivness, bitterness, lying, gossip, laziness, etc. etc.   So, my challenge is to notice what sort of culture I am producing in every area. Is there something (perhaps even seemingly insignificant) I struggle with? If there in anything in my life that isn't beneficial to pass along to my children? I need to take steps to change the culture I am breeding for my children.

Father God, thank You for the privilege of being a parent. Please help me be mindful of the culture I am producing in my home. Help me to put to death anything that is not of You. May I proclaim with confidence that I can do anything through You (Philippians 4:13) and that nothing is impossible with You (Luke 1:37). I pray that I would breed a culture of love, forgiveness, selflessness, humility, service, peace, and trust. Help me weed out what is bad and grow what is of You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

For the Love of My Children:
Lord, I pray that Your power will be at work in my children. I invite You to do immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine in each of their lives (Ephesians 3:20). I know that You have mighty plans for their future (Jeremiah 29:11) and I'm excited to see You at work: changing them and using them to change the world. May they never lose their faith or shrink back from the life You have called them to (Hebrews 10:39). Lord, You used unschooled and ordinary men to impact the world and I pray that as my children spend time with You - that they would be bold and courageous in speaking the truth to those around them (Acts 4:13). Thank You for the gifts You have given me in being able to parent such amazing children! May I never take the role lightly. I love You, Lord, and pray all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.