Intentional parenting

Tag: parenting

  • Choice

    Day 6

    May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears’ Nelson

    Some days I wake up with an enormous sense responsibility in raising our children to be everything that they are meant to be. That can be crippling when the what if’s are glaring at you. I do not know about you but those moments can easily leave us in a place of fear when we look at what is around us and what is happening around the globe. I want to challenge you today and say mamma choose hope in place of fear.

    Hope is trusting, hope is believing in the beauty of the future with resounding confidence, and that’s what we bestow upon our children. My prayer for you today is that the Lord fill you to overflow with hope as you continue to trust Him.

    I pray that you will choose faith. Faith to know that you are qualified and equipped to raise your children. You have it in you. Look deep inside yourself. Faith to reach out in confident surrender when it all gets too much, which it does many a times depending where you are in your journey.

    Above all, I pray that you will choose love. That, you will love yourself, yes, you. Love you more, appreciate you more, be in love with you. I believe when we do that, we give others permission to love us and love us better.

    β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ½

  • Grace

    Day 3

    Today I pray for grace. Grace for us to do what we need to do without feeling the strain and pressure. Over the years, I have come to appreciate and understand that grace is the oil that lubricates and eases the friction.

    I remember one particular day, 11th November 2017. I woke up as usual and got myself ready for work. However, something prompted me to look in the mirror just as I was brushing my teeth.

    As I lifted my head up to look into that mirror, a gentle voice whispered ‘that’s grace’. I stood and stared. I was starring at the person in the mirror. Indeed grace had located her, just as she was. It must have been a whole minute while I stood there and just intently locked eyes with this graced being.

    It was in that very moment, that Gods grace became so apparent. Overwhelming, sustaining and incredible grace. I have always had a sense of His presence, enablement, encouragement and comfort. What I didn’t realise is the depth of His grace.

    That week, work had been super busy and our son wasn’t feeling very well that he missed the entire week of school. As moms, we often just carry on, being brave, strong and composed. We do not realise how much strain and stress we are carrying. On this particular day, in that mirror moment, I got to understand that His grace is the buffer to my cortisol levels. Grace is indeed what carries and sustains me. The pressure both at home and work front had not gone unnoticed. The long daily commute did not help either. His grace had enabled me to carry on despite it all.

    This grace is available to all who would ask for it. He says my grace is sufficient for you too today. Would you receive that grace?

    Prayer: Lord, thank you that your grace is available for me today. You know the things I need to do, the places I need to be and all the stuff that needs done. May I not strive but receive your help without feeling guilty or lazy. Amen. πŸ™πŸ½β™₯️

  • Anchor

    Day -2

    This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]–a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells],”

    ‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭6:19‬ ‭

    Lord we thank you that it is You who enables and causes us to be hopeful. Thank you for our families, our hopes and aspirations. Despite what the world news, government statistics, even our friends may say today remind us of Your steadfast promises.

    Today, we join our faith with those who may feel they are in a hopeless situation. Lord by Your grace and mercy, would You allow them to see a glimpse of your faithfulness and trustworthiness. May they be encouraged as they put their trust in You. Thank you that by You, all things are possible. Thank you for allowing us to feel the warmth and confident assurance of your embrace.

    Are you feeling challenged, overwhelmed, stressed or hopeless today? God desires to exchange all those emotions with His love and care. The Lord is close to those who find themselves in a difficult and challenging place. He waits for us to invite Him into our situations and circumstances. Invite Him in.

    Though the words may be few or not even there, He understands and totally gets it.

    Reminder :Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ½

  • Motherhood and well being

    Webinar

    We were talking motherhood and well being on the webinar this evening.

    The ladies acknowledged that life can be busy and hectic but taking time out to recharge is important. We also acknowledged that as diaspora parents, lack of extended family support is a massive challenge.

    Some of the comments from the attendees:

    ” Know that you do not love your family if your do not look after yourself. Who is going to take care of them if you burn out?”

    “Don’t give ashes to your family when you have burnt out”

    Remember what they tell you on the plane in case of emergency???

    “Put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you put it on your child”.

    Strategies used by some of the moms in enhancing their well being.

    ‘-Me time’ at the swimming pool as well as reading and listening to biblical podcasts.

    -Exercising together as family, thereby being a role model and looking after our health.

    -Praying alone and with other ladies. Being willing to be open and vulnerable with other mothers about our challenges.

    – Building and maintaining a social network.

    – Learn and be prepared for the seasons of life. For example unplanned pregnancies potentially may cause a strain on role transition into motherhood.

    – Learning from other moms from all age groups and of different seasons.

    – Looking to God for counsel and wisdom.

    – Empower the older children to help with younger siblings with activities around the house.

    -Getting hubby or significant other to help with childcare whilst I attend to ‘me’.

    – A bath soak with candles, oils and a book is always a good easy treat.

    -Platforms such this webinar, to come and learn together, building our own online village.

    How do you unwind? What strategies have you seen or heard that are helpful? Would love to hear from you. xxx

    Seed of Hope πŸ’•πŸ’•

  • Fulfilling purpose, realising your dreams.

    Dreams don’t thrive in a vacuum, without being supported, fanned, and bolstered.Β  And you can’t fertilize your dreams sufficiently all by yourself.Β  You need loving ambassadors, mentors, sponsors, and supporters who believe in you, and who see the future vision of you before it’s hatched.

    These supporters know how to keep you true to your dream even when you’re so afraid that all you want to do is run. To launch your big dream into the world as a healthy baby ready to thrive, you need a β€œvillage” to support you.

    I have been very hesitant to step out in faith. My past struggles used to stare me in the face, but my village has been nothing but supportive. Yesterday as I stepped into Airport Church for the parenting seminar, I vividly remembered the path the Lord had walked me through all those years that I sat under the ministry of Bishop Annie. In that moment, I felt vulnerable, broken and scared. I felt inadequate and unqualified. I sobbed like baby as I saw the grace and faithfulness of God starring at me in the very place that fear once stood.

    The Holy Spirit reminded me there and then that it was the struggle that has brought me to here and now. There is no shame in my struggle but God’s purpose and destiny. I can never stand and claim to be qualified. He, qualifies the called so that His purpose will be fulfilled.

    God says to Moses, what is it that you have in your hand? Exodus 4:2 .He poses the same question to each and everyone of us. Those things that you have encountered, seen , heard.. the hurt, pain, joy, laughter, setbacks, people and places . Those are the very essence of you. No one can tell of your struggles the way you can.

    “Look to the path you have walked and know that there lies your destiny”

    hope πŸ’•

  • Expectations

    Webinar

    Very emotive and exciting discussion this evening on the parenting webinar.

    We established that God is the one who made us stewards for these children, we can go back to Him for help, counsel and guidance.

    For most of us first generation migrant parents, the environment and cultural expectations can be challenging.

    Strategies shared to manage expectations:

    ⁃ Prayer : Dedicate a day/ time to fast and pray for your children.

    ⁃ Communicate clearly your expectations and reasons for them with your children.

    ⁃ Be bold and honest with your community/ network about your position as a mother.

    ⁃ Don’t sacrifice your children for the community.

    ⁃ Love your children even in moments of failed or unmet expectations.

    β€œLove is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.”

    1 Corinthians 13:7

    hope-filled β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ½

  • Day 30

    bible.com/296/isa.26.12.gnb

  • 03.04.18

    I pray for your purpose as a mother. That you will embrace it and find fulfilment. I pray that you find mentors, friends who come along your journey and bring a deeper meaning to all that you do.

    1 Timothy 4:15-16 Living Bible (TLB)

    15 Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. 16 Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.do.

    30days praying for my mommy friends β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ½

  • Gratitude

    οΏΌ

    The Lord has great plans for each and everyone of us. His plan is of good and not evil, to give us hope and an expected end. This is the confidence we have Him.

    What are you grateful for today?

    I am grateful for the fierce battles that the Lord fights for my family be it through my marriage and my children. His presence and faithfulness in our lives is an anchor and our confidence. He is our battle axe, mighty warrior great in battle.

    I am grateful that the Lord hears our prayers and answers. He is the one who goes before us and levels every high ground. I am grateful that I am found in Him, where would I be? I am grateful that I am walking in my purpose as a wife and mother. I am grateful that I can encourage someone with my life which is a testimony of Gods goodness, loving kindness and enduring mercies. He is Jehova Roi, our shepherd.

    I am grateful that I can confidently and boldly come before God’s throne of grace through prayer and obtain mercy. I am grateful for the woman that I am and yet to become. I am grateful that I am surrounded by confident, courageous women who are secure in their calling and purpose. I am grateful for the channels of blessings, God has bestowed on my life.

    I am forever grateful for the Seed of hope** parenting platform that is changing the trajectory of families. I am grateful that He has qualified me. I am grateful that my purpose in Him stands.

    Grateful to be His vessel β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ½

  • Mother’s day

    Normally mother’s day in our household is centred all on me. This morning I woke up with a groaning for those who are struggling with celebrating this day. I stand in prayer with those who are finding motherhood hard. Those who are battling depression, anxiety and frustration. Those mothers who are standing on their own today, remembering those who left them to do all the work. You are not on your own.πŸ’•

    My heart reaches out to those who feel unheard, unappreciated and unloved. I reach out to those whose children are faraway and you miss them so much! Receive His peace and courage today.

    To those who struggle everyday like myself in getting it right, I say let’s forgive ourselves and be kind to ourselves. Let’s walk in His abounding grace knowing that He who made us mother’s, qualified us .Praying Gods love, grace and hope to those who may find today difficult. We stand with those whose mothers are no longer with us. We remember those who have been trying for sometime and those whose babies are now in heaven. We pray for those who are on their knees for their children for one reason or the other. May you know His peace and enduring mercies.

    To the rest, keep on, keeping on and have a blessed Mother’s day. To my children, I love you β€πŸ™πŸ½