If there is one thing we learned from many years of backwoods camping, it is how to prepare for storms. We have endured some pretty impressive storms over the years!

I do remember, the way you paddle the canoe in rough water is not the same as a calm day. As the waves build and the wind picks up, you have to face the storm, dig in and paddle hard. There is no resting.

Sometimes we could out-paddle a storm, but not often, they can move very quickly.

When I think of the years of parenting, the image of those storms we lived through in the outback is somewhat similar. Both require wisdom and action.

However, in parenting, the first step is to call out to God for wisdom. You need to understand the nature of the storm you are facing, What is its source? Is there something we could do or … or should not do?

You cannot navigate the storms that come to you as a parent, without a healthy dose of wisdom. It is hard to act wisely when you are panicked.

Proverbs 2:6 says this” For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

Sometimes all we have time for is that quick prayer and we find ourselves trusting God that our response is helpful. None of us get it right 100% of the time. We have had to apologize to our kids many times over the years. If we have the luxury of time, we can ask God and wait to see how he leads us. This has helped us many times when our kids were all home and we were in the thick of parenting.

It is easy to believe that “all I can do is pray”. and feel frustrated. Prayer is a powerful thing. God can move the mountains and He can tinker in hearts. We cannot.

As I look back, I can tell you this, God is not always quick to tell us what is next, we had to keep leaning into prayer and seek Him for wisdom. He loves you and your kids, more than you can imagine. You are important to Him and so are your kids.

One last thing… don’t forget, storms do not last forever.