letter to & from my heart

I wrote this at a women's retreat recently and thought it might be a good reminder for others who may be struggling with their kiddos.

----------------------------

Dear Cheryl,
Don't worry about your life and the lives of your children. God has been faithful in taking care of you, giving you life, and helping you in times of struggle. Don't give up when it's hard! Don't worry about whether your children will be faithful. Raise them the way God wants you to. Pray for them. Celebrate them! Apologize to them when necessary and make your peace.
But then trust in your sovereign God. Trust in the goodness of the Lord. Trust that He loves your children and has a plan for them! Believe in your God. Have faith that He will reward your faithfulness and trust in the promises of scripture.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
When your children disregard and reject you, remember that God hurts with you. God cares about your cares. Have faith! Rest in His plan for your life. Remember His word when life gets hard and draw close to Him when you're weary. God loves you.
Your whole life, God has and will continue to love you.