Oh God,
Thank you for words which have penetrated my heart ~ truth to recall from this day forward. Please write them on a banner over my heart:
It is not up to me.
When I am anxious over my children because of their burdens and problems, it is not up to me to fix, to change or to “worry them” into health and peace. When I am grieved over the deterioration in my parents’ relationship because of lifelong patterns, it is not up to me to carry the burden, to correct the problem or to solve every dilemma. It’s up to you to guide them—and up to them to walk—through the difficulties.
My part is to pray and trust you with each, letting them face an imperfect world with stresses that you allow ~ even design ~ to bring them to you and to conform them to the image of your Son. (Or to bring them to faith if they don’t truly know you.)
Father, help me to know the difference between
Helping and hindering
Suggesting and smothering
Sharing burdens and carrying burdens
For “blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burdens.”
Let me be faithful to do needful and healthy things, rejecting those that step over the line into unnecessary, harmful or controlling behavior. Each day let me turn over the control of my own life as well as my family’s lives into your capable, loving hands—for only there will I find relief from the internal tension others may not even see. It is only in this place of relinquishment that I will find peace.
I let them be individuals . . . adults . . . who are responsible for their own decisions and consequences. I step out of the way from being a buffer—a protector—or one who attempts to thwart any pain. I lift them all to you, Lord, with open hands. It’s only a mirage that I have power to change or control anyway! You are GOD and I AM NOT. You are doing things I cannot even see or imagine ~ why would I dare interfere?
Brand my soul with the knowledge that you love each one with a perfect love beyond my comprehension. Guard my heart with these truths so that I won’t trespass again into your realm.
May my footsteps be found following you
not forging ahead or forsaking the path
may my heart be yours and yours alone.
May I bring blessing to my family and not curses
may I continually walk in this place of peace
for it is holy
and always available through you.
I will praise you for working in us all as I remember ~
It is not up to me.