Oh, hey there friend, you don’t know me yet or maybe you do, but at least for now neither of us know that our children will one day commit their lives to each other and by doing so forever knit our families together. One day, we will all sit in the front aisles of a church filled with scores of people who have influenced our babies, but none like us. No one else in that church will know the intentionality, love, and grace of God that it took to reach that day, but we will.

The work you are doing in your daily walk in parenthood and with Jesus—it matters, and I’m praying that you do not become weary. Tired, yes of course, but weary of this good work I’m praying against. Underneath all the layers of sports and birthday parties and church on Sunday, deep in the trenches of what you are doing to create those rhythms and traditions—it matters.  

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When you are teaching them to cook and they make more messes than meals and it would be so much easier to just do it yourself, keep going.

When they are yelling at you about how everyone else gets to have a phone or stay out late, stand firm.

When the therapy sessions don’t seem to be working or changing anything, don’t give up on them.

When the abundance of their entitlement seems to jump out of nowhere, and you have no idea what to do or how to move forward, keep going.  

When they answer your discipline with harsh words, and you literally must bite your tongue to hold back from yelling, don’t give up.

It’s not just your sweet child you’re parenting, it’s also mine and also our future grandbabies.

Galatians 6:9 tells us “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Fight the temptation to let off the gas as they get older. They need you. Share with them your intentionality so that one day they will know how to face their own challenges not just individually, but as a spouse and as a parent as well.

When they find themselves in sin, don’t walk away instead walk towards them.

When you prioritize your marriage, let them see it.

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When you consciously choose to turn away from debt, share why.

When anxiety is so high it is paralyzing, let them see you turning to Jesus.

When the test results aren’t as expected, let them watch you navigate unknown spaces faithfully.

It all matters and has such a ripple effect, lasting far beyond the moments of today.

In the meantime, I’ll be in the trenches as well, doing the best I can to prepare mine for yours.

I’ll see you at the altar.