I’m delighted to welcome back my friend Tyra as she encourages as with the Father’s love and shares about her new book, Purposeful Parenting.
Our Good Shepherd, Our Good Father
by Tyra Lane-Kingsland
All morning this Chris Tomlin song played in my head, “You’re a good good father. That’s who you are. And I am loved by you.” Those words were a balm for my weary soul.
Though it doesn’t often consume me, the void I felt in my heart this Mother’s Day was palpable. My mother died when I was just 18 years old. And even before that, her presence in my life was irregular. So as I sat, heart hurting, wondering how on earth I could even mother my little flock of six, when I had not been mothered myself, God bought me a reminder.
Like a shepherd, he tends his flock. He gathers the lambs in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads the mother sheep.” Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd he tends his flock.
It is a great responsibility to shepherd His precious little ones. Carefully nurturing them so that they are kept safe and held close, near to the Father. Without careful feeding and tending, lambs and sheep are doomed. But thanks be to God that Jehovah-Raah, The Lord Our Shepherd, dutifully leads, guides, and protects us and He equips us to do the same for our children.
Like a shepherd he tends my heart. He continues to circumcise my heart so as to remove pride. A proud parent is demanding, harsh, and critical. But under his loving hand, He has enabled me to become humble, gentle, and accepting.
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.
Oh friends, let Father God hold you in his arms. You are not TOO BIG to be picked up and carried by the Good Shepherd. You ever have one of your older children come plop themselves right in your lap? In mamas lap there is comfort and safety. Just as your children find comfort in your lap, you can find safety and comfort in the arms of your Heavenly Daddy.
He gently leads the mother sheep.
In parenting, gentleness does not mean you are weak or a pushover parent.
In fact the parent who is gentle in the face of wanting to be harsh and mild when wanting to be aggressive is the one who demonstrates great strength and self-control.
Under the Lord’s gentle guiding hand, we enter the current to flow in rivers of gentleness. While our natural inclination may be to want to swim upstream, let these words written in 1742 by Charles Wesley be a sweet reminder:
Lamb of God, I look to Thee;
Thou shalt my Example be;
Thou art gentle, meek, and mild;
Thou wast once a little child.
Lord, I would be as Thou art;
Give me Thine obedient heart;
Thou art pitiful and kind,
Let me have Thy loving mind.
Jesus is gentle with you. He is a gracious loving Father. Be gentle with yourself. @InspiredFully #momlife
Click To Tweet
We can be so hard on ourselves especially when it comes to our role as a mother. Shame can cause us to compare ourselves. But God’s gentle direction and redirection steers us away from shame and condemnation and leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Day by day He is teaching me. Day by day he is leading me.
In the loving arms of Abba I am fortified to be the mama my children need. He has entrusted this little flock into my care and He’s equipping me to lead them, to tend to them, to nurture them, and to love them, day by day. And as He’s teaching me, He’s teaching them and great shall be their peace (Isaiah 54:13).
He’s a Good Good Father, indeed.
Leaning on Him,
Tyra
In what ways has Jesus been tending to you? How has Jesus demonstrated gentleness with you?
For this and other inspiration on Christ-led parenting check out Tyra’s new book Purposeful Parenting.
Tyra Lane-Kingsland is no stranger to inspiring hearts. From tending the hearts of her husband and six children to her role as a Women’s Ministry Leader, speaker and blogger, Tyra has provided encouragement to countless people. Tyra is the author of the new book, Purposeful Parenting. You can find her providing inspiration on her blog, Inspired Life. Connect with Tyra on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook too.
Be sure to subscribe by email so you don’t miss any encouragement! Just enter your address in the top right box (I’ll send you four free tracks from my Echoes of My Heart album too).
You might also like:
Your Womb Belongs to Whom? (Guest post by Tyra)
Three Amazing Truths about the Father’s Heart Toward You
Dear Tightly Wound Woman: You are My Daughter
The post Father God is Gentle with You, Be Gentle with Yourself as You Parent (Guest Post) appeared first on Katie M. Reid.