It’s hard to believe that our oldest daughter Meghan turned 25 yesterday! I remember the days when she and our other three kids were “young-uns”…. We had four kids within six years and we pioneered a church right in the middle of that season. This verse brought me comfort many times.
That season of babies, preschoolers and planting a new church were days of big dreams, daily pressure, stress, lack of sleep, very few funds and tons of “on the job training.” Sometimes, I found myself feeling overloaded, ill-equipped and out of my league! I often put too much pressure on myself and felt the weight of a “to-do” list that was never done! Is that your experience these days?
At that time, the Lord consistently reminded me, “I gently lead those that have young.” Paraphrased to my heart, “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I am not demanding as much from you as you are demanding of yourself…I will lead you gently. I know you have preschoolers. I know the young church is draining at times. Relax…one day at a time…I am with you.”
If you’re in a “young” season – a new mom, raising preschoolers, taking care of grandbabies, starting a young business or pioneering a church – just know that the Lord will gently lead you.
Sometimes, we forget this and we are harder on ourselves than God Himself is! We inadvertently think God is some harsh taskmaster who's driving us to the point of exhaustion and unhealthy productivity – He’s not. The Lord knows the season you are in; He understands the challenges of life – leading young ones, raising kids, building businesses and churches. He knows what it’s like to deal with pressure, stress, lack of sleep, low funds and a big dream…and He gently leads us.
“Father, thank You for gently leading me. I am so glad that You are not a harsh taskmaster. Help me to rest in Your care in this season. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
The Lord knows the season you are in; He understands the challenges of life and He will gently lead you.
