Colossians Chapter 2

​“… and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:10)

A Prayer for My Daughter

Bless my daughter with all wisdom and knowledge through a full understanding of the mystery of Christ revealed. Grant her discernment to know Truth from lies. Root and build her up in You, oh God. Strengthen her faith and fill her with unending thankfulness. Make her alive with Christ. May she know Your forgiveness and rest in the full knowledge and understanding of Your great sacrifice of love. Help her stand firm against the world’s pressures and judgement and grant her freedom and security in You. ... 

“I’m afraid of monsters,” Sweet one confessed one early school morning. “I don’t want to go to school today because I’m afraid of the spooky song the music teacher plays.” She sat straight up in bed, clutching a tissue with the covers still tucked around her. I sat at the foot of her mattress and reached an arm out to pat her blanket covered feet.

“What did you find scary about the song?” I asked, hoping to help my little girl.

“The voice,” she answered soberly, “Mommy, I don’t like the voice. It’s scares me.”

I leaned over and hugged Sweet one. “Oh, sweet pea!” I held her tight, “I’m so sorry that song scared you!”

​“I don’t want to go to school today,” her muffled voice pleaded in my shirt, “May I stay home?” 

I smiled at her hopeful request. “No, sweet pea.” Giving one last hug, I leaned back so she could look at me as I talked. “You will go to school today.”

“But Mommy!” her voice climbed, “I don’t want too!” Her eyes were now big and tears threatened to fall, “I’m scared!” Her bottom lip quivered and she now clutched the comforter for dear life.

I closed my eyes and lifted up a quick prayer for wisdom. “I know you feel scared, sweet pea, but there is nothing to be scared of.” I searched for words. “Remember what the Bible says to do when you are afraid?”

Sweet girl thought a moment. “When I am afraid, I will trust in You,” she quoted, “in God whose Word I praise, her voice lost some of its’ intensity.

“That’s right,” I encouraged, sliding closer to her on the bed, “and do you know why we need to trust God when we are afraid?” I reached out to stroke the top of Little girl’s head.

“Why?” she demanded, pushing away from my grasp, a touch of defiance in her eyes.

I grinned at Sweet girl and held out my arms as wide as they could stretch. “Because,” I paused, “My God is so BIG, so STRONG and so MIGHTY!” I flexed my muscles and wiggled my eyebrows. “There’s nothing our God cannot do,” I pointed dramatically at Little girl’s now smiling face, “for YOU! Oh, Sweet pea!” I smiled, Fear is not of God,” I explained, “it is from Satan – and who is bigger and mightier than Satan?” I asked, leaning my head in close to Sweet girl.

“God is!” she said smiling.

“And who can we trust to protect and take care of us because He is so big and so mighty?” I asked with a wide smile.

“God!” she bounced under the covers.

Looking more seriously at Sweet girl, I sobered. “God knows that we often get scared,” I pointed to myself, “Mommy gets scared sometimes too. But the awesome thing about God is that He knows how we are, and throughout the Bible, He reminds us many, many, many times to not be afraid because God is always with us.” I leaned up against Sweet one’s warmth. “And if you do feel scared when you hear the spooky song, always remember that you can pray to God and ask for help.” I slanted my head at Sweet girl, “You could pray, ‘Dear Lord, I’m scared. Please help me.’ And He will.”

Little girl nodded her head and snuggled into my side.

“And remember,” I reminded, rubbing her back, “that God is bigger, stronger, and mightier then your fear, that spooky song, and anything or anybody. He will always be with You watching over you, guarding you, and protecting you.” I kissed the top of Little girl’s head and hugged her one last time. “Now, let’s get ready to go to school.”

​“Yes, Mommy!” Sweet girl smiled and gave me a big hug. 

Like Sweet girl, as a parent, I struggle with fears and anxieties. Did I set the right example? Did I say or handle that situation in the best or most loving manner with her? Am I missing the mark and training her up? What if I am completely blowing it? Is what I am doing teaching grace and love or hardness and the law?

These are just a sample of the many thoughts which race through my mind during the day and I am quite sure that many other parents struggle with similar questions and fears. I remember a time in my life when my anxieties paralyzed me from making decisions and filled me with insecurities and constant self-doubt. I look back now and see how I let my fears and anxieties rob me of joy and life. My internal eye was narrow in its limited focus and centered too much upon myself as the controller and end-all. I lacked trust and an eagle eye's view of the whole picture. The death grip fear held over me did not aid me in my parenting but rather hindered my attempts.
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Just as Sweet girl needed reminding of God’s vastness and might, we, parents, also need the same daily dose of medicine or else we may get lost in the desert. When we can broaden our perspective to include a big, strong, and mighty God who can do anything, then the grasp of which fear and worry holds upon us, weakens and pales in the light of God’s power. 

A Prayer for Myself

Help me to hear Your still, soft voice above the clamoring noise. Guide me, oh Lord, to make wise decisions this day that are grounded in You and not derived from places of fear or doubt. Bind fear’s grip over me and cast it out. I ask You to widen my perspective to see the vastness of who You are and what You are doing in my life so that I might trust You more. Let Your Light shine bright in my life and show me how to be an example of strength, assurance, peace, love, and joy in the lives of my family so that I may bare witness of You. Walk with me this day, I pray.