The Fix-It Mom

As parents, it hurts to see our kids or grandkids go through difficulties, doesn’t it? And if you’re like me, you’d like to fix all their problems. Kiss their wound and make it better like we did when they were small.

But when serious trials hit it’s not so simple. We can’t make things like unemployment, poor health, or marital problems vanish with a kiss. And it weighs on us as parents.

Even after praying and praying, I long to snap my fingers, find the right answers, and fix it all.

I try to be the Fix-it Mom

Until the Lord reminds me that it’s not my place to fix it – but his. So forgive me, Lord, for wanting to be the Fix-it Mom.

Forgive, Lord, me for trying to:

1. Prevent all their difficulties

I will never be able to keep my kids and grandkids from having to face trials.

So help me remember that you use them to build their faith and trust in you.

2. Provide for all their needs

It’s okay to help my kids even in adulthooId, but I can’t always be their provider.

You use hardship to build their character, so please remind me of that. And that you’re teaching them gratitude, contentment, patience, and living within their means.

3. Always bail them out

It’s not up to me to fix all their mistakes or poor decisions.

You use their missteps to teach essential lessons like diligence, responsibility, and self-control. So keep me from interfering in what you’re doing.

4. Fix all their problems

Our kids will encounter trials and troubles all their lives. We can’t (and shouldn’t) always be present to prevent or fix them. Only God can fulfill that role.

So Lord, help me see that you use their difficulties to mold them and make them more Christ-like.

Forgive me Lord, for not trusting you enough to care for my loved ones. Help me to place them in your more than capable hands.

We are not called to be fix-it parents

We are not called to be fix-it moms, but to entrust our loved ones to God’s everlasting care.

It’s right and proper to help our loved ones in times of trial and difficulty. But only after praying to discern whether that’s what God wants. In many situations it’s better to leave it all in his hands.

By trying to always be Fix-it Moms, are we trying to take the Lord’s place in their lives? When he alone can be their all-in-all?

Our children are not our own, but entrusted to us by God. He keeps them in his everlasting care. He is with them when we cannot be. He knows how to best teach, challenge, change, and assist them. He sees their every need, and only he can meet them all.

And if God is working on their behalf, why should we worry and fret? Instead of trying to be fix-it parents, let’s become pray-it parents, praying all the time!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Images: Mother hugging daughter by Liza Summer | Woman holding daughter by iq balnuril.