Seeing God's Plan for My Family Through Surrender

Sometimes God's greatest blessing isn't changing our circumstances—it's changing our hearts to see His purpose in them.

Today's testimony is brought to you by our Heavenly Father.

Life as a parent who follows God is a constant analysis of my actions and what I say. Unfortunately, a high percentage of that analysis is done after the fact. Simply put, I make a lot of mistakes, but at this point I am aware of them. I can repent, learn the triggers, and hopefully avoid them next time. It's really difficult.

Being home right now is purposeful. I am sure of that. The Lord has shown me why the job offers and other opportunities have not worked out or have simply dissolved. Looking back, I can see how those frustrations had to happen for me to truly hit my knees and seek His will in this season of my life. In doing so, I was able to hear Him say, "Stay right here and be the father and husband you've never been able to be." Looking back now, I can clearly see God's plan for my family unfolding in ways I never expected.

It's amazing the effect it has on my family for me to simply be present during the different things that come up in everyday life. Of course, that means I need to always be on guard, and that means I need to stay in constant communication with my Father. I can honestly say my relationship with my Heavenly Father has deepened, and my relationship with my family has improved drastically.

As we all know, for the most part, parenting is a thankless job. We don't do it for recognition. We do it because we want our children to grow on a solid foundation and understanding of who God is. In doing this, we help usher them into beginning their own relationship with Him.

The other day, after a disagreement with my son, I was doing my usual analysis when my wife came to me. I'm sure we talked about the disagreement and how my son and I had both lost our cool. What stood out to me was her encouragement.

She said, "I have noticed a huge difference in our son. He is listening and trying not to get angry."

She went on to say that since I've been home, things have improved.

I usually don't receive much feedback or encouragement in this area, and I didn't think I really needed it. But those words, at that moment, were like a breath of fresh air. Before she said that, I was discouraged and disappointed that my son and I were still struggling. The Lord used my wife to remind me that there has been real improvement, that being here is for a reason, and that our family is growing closer.

It all started when I accepted that things were not going to go the way I thought they should.

What a surprise, right?

I needed to surrender before I was blessed with seeing part of the purpose behind God's plan for my family.

I am so thankful to be home with my family. I am turning into quite the cook, and I enjoy it for the most part. The dishes still stink, but seeing my wife and family no longer anxious about what's for dinner or how it will get made is a blessing.

I am thankful to be home.

I am thankful to be closer to my son than ever.

I am thankful to be closer to my daughter than ever.

I am thankful to be closer to my wife than ever.

I am thankful to be jobless because today I can finally see that God's plan for my family was far greater than the one I had written for myself.

Thank you, Father, for one more day.

Amen.

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