I came across something last week that someone had written and it was meant for a mother’s heart. It was meant for a time such as this.

“Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be. God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they are in. Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident. Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God. Train them up in the authority of His word. Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control. Empower them to know they can change the world. Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world, but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan. He knew Daniel could handle the lion’s den. He knew David could handle Goliath. He knew Esther could handle Haman. He knew Peter could handle persecution. He knows that your child can handle whatever challenges they face in life. He created them specifically for it. Don’t be scared for your children, but be honored that God chose you to parent the generation that is facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime.

Rise up to the challenge. Raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers, and Peters. God isn’t scratching His head wondering what He’s going to do with this mess of a world. He has an army He is raising up to drive back the darkness and make Him known all over the earth. Don’t let your fear steal the greatness God placed on them. I know it’s hard to imagine them as anything besides our sweet little babes, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them, but they were born for such a time as this.”

– author unknown

Part of me felt that there might be another fellow mother who could use that reminder today. And that it would bring you the same comfort that it brought me.

With what we currently face in this world I know all too well the worry that we mothers carry in our hearts. I know the heaviness at night, lying awake, wondering what our children are going to inherit. What kind of life will they live. And hoping with all of me that I can be around for as long as possible. It’s a heavy burden and one of the hardest parts of motherhood.

However, I will forever believe that the greatest work we will ever do is within the walls of our own home. As mothers, we have the ability and duty to make our homes places of peace, of comfort, and of refuge. We can truly make them heaven on earth should we choose to. The wolves can descend and be clawing at our front door, but it doesn’t matter and we do not have to fear if we have fixed our focus on the things that matter most. Because in doing so, we are guarding our family with Heaven’s armor. And we are raising up warriors that will not fear, but stare down darkness with unwavering courage and a twinkle in their eye. And I cannot think of a greater blessing than that.

So have family dinner. Gather around the table with joy and laughter. Make those bedtime kisses count. Give them adventures, read the books, and be silly with them. Let them create, teach them that recipe, and finish the puzzle. Make home an inspiring place.

Let us not be distracted. Let us fixate on what is most important. There is a lot we cannot control right now – there always will be. However, we have complete control over the most important things. And I cannot think of a more incredible gift for them… and for a mother’s heart.