Let’s take this thought train about being set free from our past(s), and apply it to our motherhood and parenting.
We all have or had parents in some shape or form.
Some of our parenting and growing up situations were great and some were much less than ideal.
We all have a “parenting past”, and THIS is what we have been taught to look to in order to better and more wisely parent the children that we have.
Let me tell you something. It won’t work.
Another aspect of our past in this area we need to highlight is the perception of our parents that we had as children. This one is important. Remember, our perception determines our reality. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7a)
For example, if we perceive our parents as amazing, we will most likely set them up on a pedestal and end up worshipping and trying to follow (or copy) what they did.
If we perceive that our parents were horrible, we will set them up on a different pedestal of disgrace and judgement and we will end up worshipping and doing what we think they should have done.
All of this is wrong and will lead to nowhere good.
I know it may sound extreme, labeling such focuses as worship, but in a very basic sense, whatever we spend a lot of our time thinking about, and lavishing our attention and affection on in any way, is what we worship and idolize.
If we are first consulting the imagined or real opinion(s) of our parents to inform our own parenting decisions and not God, that is backwards and is a form of idolatry.
God is to be first in everything. He didn’t create us in the image of our parents, but in the image and likeness of HIM.
He should be consulted first in all things. His opinion should be the one that matters. His advice and wisdom should be what we seek and implement, and nothing else.
The point of all of this is NOT to “not be like your parents” or even to be like them. It is to get set free and surrender the entirety of your motherhood and life to Jesus so you can be like HIM.
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, for you are His dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT
That focus, that direction will solve all of the generational problems you don’t want moving forward into your family. Stop using your past as a measure for your now and your future. It’s old. It’s used up. It’s inaccurate. It will only cause you problems.
Get the fresh. Get the “now” that is Jesus. You are not your past nor are you your parents.
Yes, you came from them and you have some of their DNA in you, but the reality is that you are a perfectly unique individual that has never existed before, and once you’re gone, there will literally be no one like you again, ever.
Therefore, the solution must be fresh and new each and every time.
We MUST get this wisdom and direction and teaching from Jesus because that is the ONLY place it exists and is actually effective. What the world can offer you will always fail you and will encourage you to look at your past and to use that to inform your future.
With Jesus, your past has been bought and covered in His blood. All issues and problems are wiped out, covered, and forgotten. Our present and future are covered and provided for, too!
Get HIS daily “manna” for your life.
Get HIS direction and instruction for you and your children.
Get what HE has to say about your past and make that a foundation you build your now and your future upon. It won’t fail you or let you fall. His faithfulness is GREAT and His mercies are fresh and new every morning…just what we need.
All in all, get what you need from Jesus. That stuff won’t run out or leave you high and dry. You will experience levels of breakthrough and peace and victory and freedom you’ve only ever dreamed of and wished for. And more.
He’s THAT good. And He loves you THAT much.
You’ve got this mama!
Xoxoxo
Kristi
The Motherhood Revolution™ 