Trusting God's Plan for My Kids

The UnPerfect Podcast for Christian Women

Send me a text here! I’d love to hear from you.

Welcome to episode #21 of the UN-Perfect Podcast! In today's episode, we explore the topic of trees, delving into a personal story of two trees and the lessons they taught me about my daughter and God's work in our lives.

• Discussion:
  • Setting the scene: It's December, but this isn't a Christmas episode.
  • Christmas tree traditions: Some families have charming traditions of cutting down a live tree, while we've stuck to using a fake tree.
  • Our experience with fake trees: From inherited Charlie Brownish trees to the excitement of a prelit tree and a Star Wars ornament mishap.
  • The saga of the lights shorting out and the leaning tree of Pisa.
  • Finally deciding to purchase a new tree and the joy of decorating it with lights.
• The Tale of Two Trees:
  • A reflection on raising my strong daughter.
  • Expectations vs. reality in parenting.
  • The metaphor of Bradford Pear trees vs. oak trees.
  • Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Lord has anointed me …to grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (ESV)
  • The vulnerabilities of Bradford Pear trees and their inability to weather storms.
  • The strength and longevity of oak trees, capable of producing new growth even after being knocked down.
  • Seeing my daughter's characteristics as oak tree qualities.
  • Embracing the work in progress
  • "The process of blooming is just as valuable as the flower it produces ." - Aundi Kobler, Try Softer.
  • Letting go of control and allowing God to water and guide our children's growth.
  • Desiring lasting beauty and strength that glorifies the Lord.

Today I’m reminding myself and you that the Light of the World is in the business of tearing down the old and planting the new. Trees, children, hearts, dreams, marriages, disappointments, regrets - let’s claim Isaiah 61 and plant ourselves by the streams of the water of his word (Psalm 1). He’s good on His promise. He’s good, period.
Download your free printable resource, “The UN-perfect Promises of God," here. It’s a printable download of 5 Biblical meditations to encourage you as you live in the now and the not-yet.
And for the mere price of a latte, treat yourself to Embracing UN-Perfect - A 7-Day Dive to Living Fully the Life You've Been Dealt. We live in two realities – 1 John 3:2 refers to them as the “now” and the “not-yet.” Daily reminders of the brokenness of a fallen world coupled with our hope in a future where every hurt is healed. That creates tension. But I believe the abundant life God promises us in John 10:10 was meant to be lived in both realities. This dive is a wealth of information, Biblical examples, practical strategies, and other resources for diving further. You

Subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter, "Musings for UnPerfect Ponderers" here: www.shellysnead.com.