Parenting is full of ups and downs.  I was married for eight years before I became a parent.  No one told me parenting would be so hard. At the time I just wanted a baby—I didn’t want to grow old and miss the opportunity to have a child in our lives.  I realize it doesn’t always happen for everyone, so we were very blessed that God gave us a daughter. Then our child began to grow up, and there were good times and hard times.  Right now, I’m feeling particularly sentimental as Bethany was recently married.

When I look back over the last twenty-six years, it does seem like the time went by in a flash.  But I know there were so many times, when going through the day by day, week by week, semester by semester, that time seemed to drag by.

I happen to be a person that second guesses almost every decision that I make.  I can research, have all the facts, feel like I (we) are making the best decision, and then later have buyer’s remorse.  What’s with that anyway? But I’m so glad that God loves us in spite of our failings and imperfections, and as parents, uses us in the lives of our children.

Parents of MKs/TCKs can have even more reason for angst and second guessing.  There are so many changes that go on in our lives, and decisions that we make that impact the lives of our children.  We have to come to a point where we make the best decision for our family, and trust that God will work all things together for good, because we love Him, and we know He is conforming us, and our children, into His image.

So wherever you are in the parenting journey right now, know that one day it will end.  At least the hands-on part of your journey, and then your children will be off on their own journey.  I’m glad Bethany had a few years of working and living on her own (with a roommate) before she got married.  It gave us a chance to get used to a new role, and a new way of relating, before we took on a wonderful son-in-law, Elliot Duenow (Dee-no)!

Realize that wherever you are in your parenting, whatever is happening with your kids, whether you’re on the field or on furlough, homeschooling or national schooling, that God is with you, ready to give wisdom and help, and He loves your children more than you do.  And that makes all the difference!

Please let me know (pam@bbfimissions.com) if you read this blog, and also let me know if there are any questions or topics you would like to see covered!

-by Pam Konnerup