Hi Parents,
The blog this week is about carrying the [+weight of the world] and is as much for you as parents, as it is for your teens. As we go through our days, we deal with stress, anxiety and pain. We come across every type of situation that needs to be handled in a different way. Friends get angry with one another, school makes demands, we need to take each child in a different direction and before we know what's happening, we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Then, to top it off, we get to deal with what society expects of us.
DON'T PANIC! Rather, if you do panic, call on the Lord. Cry out and ask him to meet you where you are broken and bogged down. Ask Him to lift the heavy burden. Psalm 40:1 says "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."
To your teens who are managing a summer job, football camp, volleyball camp, basketball camp, church camp, mission trip, family vacation, and finding down time... wow, I'm tired just typing all that... are you feeling overwhelmed? DON'T PANIC! Remember Jesus is with you to lift that weight from your shoulders and to give you strength. This prayer is for you:
To the parents who are furiously juggling summer camps, summer vacations, work schedules, BBQ's, family picnics, weightlifting schedules and other family obligations, and who feel like summer is busier than the school year, hang in there! To all the moms and dads who have given up trying to keep the refrigerator stocked and the pantry filled, who are going broke from feeding all the neighborhood kids and who are wondering if the kids will notice that you're serving hot dogs again. To every mom and dad who feels guilty that you signed your kids up for multiple VBS programs this summer, who are now enjoying a quiet moment to run an errand, prep dinner, or speed clean the house (ok, not so relaxing), this prayer is for you:
Ask yourself or your teen...
Have you helped someone who has weightier problems than your own? See what happens when you take the focus off yourself and put it on helping others.
Do your perform well under pressure?
Challenge for parents and teens...
Prayer...
God, when we are overwhelmed by the stresses of life, remind us that we are safe in your arms. Thank you for filling us with your peace. Amen.
The blog this week is about carrying the [+weight of the world] and is as much for you as parents, as it is for your teens. As we go through our days, we deal with stress, anxiety and pain. We come across every type of situation that needs to be handled in a different way. Friends get angry with one another, school makes demands, we need to take each child in a different direction and before we know what's happening, we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Then, to top it off, we get to deal with what society expects of us.
DON'T PANIC! Rather, if you do panic, call on the Lord. Cry out and ask him to meet you where you are broken and bogged down. Ask Him to lift the heavy burden. Psalm 40:1 says "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."
To your teens who are managing a summer job, football camp, volleyball camp, basketball camp, church camp, mission trip, family vacation, and finding down time... wow, I'm tired just typing all that... are you feeling overwhelmed? DON'T PANIC! Remember Jesus is with you to lift that weight from your shoulders and to give you strength. This prayer is for you:
- May you wake up with excitement in your heart every morning for all that the day can be.
- May you lay your head down at night with a heart that is bursting and memories too plentiful to count.
- May you know unspeakable joy at the end of the day!
- May you know that you are wildly loved by the Father!
To the parents who are furiously juggling summer camps, summer vacations, work schedules, BBQ's, family picnics, weightlifting schedules and other family obligations, and who feel like summer is busier than the school year, hang in there! To all the moms and dads who have given up trying to keep the refrigerator stocked and the pantry filled, who are going broke from feeding all the neighborhood kids and who are wondering if the kids will notice that you're serving hot dogs again. To every mom and dad who feels guilty that you signed your kids up for multiple VBS programs this summer, who are now enjoying a quiet moment to run an errand, prep dinner, or speed clean the house (ok, not so relaxing), this prayer is for you:
- May you have clarity of thought and a morsel of sanity today.
- May you know that His grace is enough.
- May you recognize that though these days are so long, the years are so short.
- May you know that you are wildly loved by your Father, just as you are. Not by what you accomplished, or messed up, but because He adores you, just because.
Ask yourself or your teen...
Have you helped someone who has weightier problems than your own? See what happens when you take the focus off yourself and put it on helping others.
Do your perform well under pressure?
Challenge for parents and teens...
- Ask God to help carry your burdens.
- Listen to an encouraging song.
- Breathe deeply and slowly in order to slow down.
- Blow bubbles, play a game, act like a child.
- Go on a walk or exercise.
- Hug a dog or cat.
- Smile. Trust that God is in control.
Prayer...
God, when we are overwhelmed by the stresses of life, remind us that we are safe in your arms. Thank you for filling us with your peace. Amen.
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