Things we don't hear often enough...

You have got what it takes to succeed!  Reader, we don't hear this truth often enough.

God gives us everything we need to win!  Absolutely everything!  Now, with that being said, is life easy?  Is parenting easy?  Is marriage easy?  No three times.  Did anyone ever tell you, "life will be easy?"  They were selling something.  Probably a self help book or a Sham-Wow.  God really tried to make the path simple for us to follow.  

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

That verse sounds easy.  Anyone else found parenting to be the easiest job ever?  I was a vat washer in a meat packing plant.  9 hours a day, 6 days a week of washing some of the biggest, nastiest, metal vats.  100+ degrees F in there due to the high powered super hot water and chemical hoses.  Stinky, sweaty, and overall the second hardest job I've ever done.  

Parenting is a constant reminder that God has a sense of humor but trusts us to do what is right.  What kind of encouragement does God give us? Keep trying! (Isaiah 41:10) Don't Quit! (Isaiah 40:29) You can do it! (Philippians 4:16) God is our BIGGEST fan!  He wants us to succeed and see us joyful! So much so that He gives us strength for the journey whenever we need it. 

Life is going to be tough due to the enemy trying to steal, kill, and destroy us. (John 10:10) He tries to devour us and take us out. (I Peter 5:8) He also tries to take out our children, early and often.  We do them a disservice by not preparing them for the battles ahead.  Teach them how to "Stand" (Ephesians 6:11&13)  and how to fight.  (14-18)  

Teach them in the end, God wins!  (Revelation 20:10)  Teach them that Real Love never fails! (I Corinthians 13:1-8)  And teach them that, just like their Mommy and Daddy, they have what it takes to succeed!

May God bless you and yours tomorrow on Thanksgiving and for many years to come!