Why I don’t need to be anxious about my children

A new school year has started and my youngest boy has started Pre-K. All my children are out of the home during the day now, and lots of mixed feelings and questions come up. How will the new school year be for the boys? Will they be able to make any friends? If so, will they be good ones? How will they stay away from bad influences?

Even if it might be natural for such thoughts to come up, it doesn’t mean I need to let them fill me with worry. God’s Word says quite the opposite!

In Jeremiah 29:11 it is written, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

What comforting and hopeful words! There is a future and a hope in store for them!

So, when those worrisome thoughts come up, what can I do to stop them? I can pray for my children, because I have experienced this verse to be true: "I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God.” Psalm 17:6. And when I pray, I don’t pray “that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15) Therefore, I know that even if I cannot be everywhere my boys are, God will be with them to guide them in the steps they take. What a comfort and rest that gives me!

I need to be a disciple

In James 5:16 it says, “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” How can I be righteous in God’s eyes so that my prayers are being heard and answered? By living as a disciple. That is to say, by denying myself and taking up my cross daily. (Luke 9:23) In other words, I follow in Jesus’ footsteps and work on giving up my own will and blessing the others.

I can bless my kids by being a good example for them at home, in the way I take things, or in the way I answer and react to a situation. I can bless the boys by spending time with them, by making sure that they feel loved and cared for. For example, do I have an ear for them when they come home from school and want to tell me of their experiences during the day? Am I willing sacrifice “my” time to focus on them? Do I teach them about God’s Word, read the Bible together, and pray with them? There are plenty of ways and opportunities to bless them; I just need to be alert and use the chances I get!

I can live my life in such a way that they experience a good and safe home. They can see God’s Word is living, because they can see it in me. That is what will lead them to want to live that same life themselves. Someone once said, “if parents are whole-hearted disciples, it becomes natural for the kids to follow after them.” These words have given me so much hope for myself and for the kids! Yes, my children will have to live in this world; but, they can live here without being affected and influenced by it. They can rather be a light that radiates what is good and pure!

“And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” 1 John 5:4.There is therefore no need to worry about my children, their future is hopeful and bright!