Moms, let’s face it…..parenting daughters during the transition years from teenager to adult can be a challenging.
Many of us have been there…. that point when our teenage daughter is trying to spread her wings and fly.
On those days, when the the transition doesn’t go smoothly, when your daughter is under pressure and feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders, when life is not turning out like she had planned, I promise you there is hope. When the situation becomes difficult and starts to suffocate both you and her, there are many things that you can do to breathe new life into your restless hearts.
With the first and foremost being, picking up the spiritual telephone through prayer, and dialing 911 to reach the Lord.
“...and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” - Psalm 50:15
God is on the other end of the phone just waiting to talk to you. He has the answers. He can show you the way to guide your daughter on a path that will draw her closer to Him. When you come to the point of giving up your independence as a mother and turn to relying on Him alone, He will show you the steps to take to help your daughter on this journey.
When you do it on our own and forget the power of prayer, you run into trouble. It’s as if you’re in a boat on the middle of a lake with your daughter and you only have one oar, the oar of self, with that oar you paddle with all our might and get nowhere. However, if you add the second oar, the oar of prayer, God will give you the strength and the knowledge to be able to row the boat in the right direction that leads you closer to Him.
When you listen to His voice, you will find reassurance and comfort knowing that He has the situation under control. It’s from that point that you can move in confidence, being the mother He intended you to be.
As moms we must encourage our daughters to do likewise. We need to let them know that their relationship with the Lord needs to be first in their lives. Through prayer and reading the Word, they can find the answers they have been desperately searching for.
When you have received His instruction for how to handle the specific situation you’re in, you must move ahead according to His guidance. During this time you need to be your daughter’s biggest cheerleader! Let her know that you’re always there for her and she can turn to you no matter what her situation is. Give her love and acceptance, don’t invalidate her feelings by making her feel like her problems are insignificant. When your daughter is have a difficult time, walking through the door of adulthood, you need to remember what it was like to walk a mile in her shoes. Remember that those times spent in the unknown can be very hard and scary.
Make sure to connect with your daughter during these times. Set up dates with her, go out to coffee, or take a walk in your neighborhood. Let her express her concerns to you, and when she does, let her know she is not alone. Offer her words of comfort, text her encouraging notes through out the day, filled with love and Scripture, that will set her thoughts on God’s truth.
You can do this mom! With God in the drivers seat both you and your daughter can get through this time. Trust in God’s grace and His promises to get you through to the other side.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6
Written by Rick Johnson
