Where Do I Fit?

By Michelle Eigemann

www.allmichelleking.com

Where do I fit? Recently I attended a women’s event with some girlfriends. As we walked in we were given a puzzle piece, asked to pick a table and then work to put together the puzzle assigned to that table. As each group began to finish their puzzles a theme emerged, each puzzle was missing one piece. We were then instructed to take that puzzle piece we were given upon registering and attempt to find its place. We only had a few minutes to try and find the perfect fit. Picture this, twenty grown women frantically running around the room trying to find the place they belonged before the time was up. Stress levels were high, emotions were flared and the fear of time running out before you found your place was real. Okay, maybe that was just my experience, but it got me thinking.  

Imagine that these puzzle pieces are actually our children and instead of trying to complete a puzzle they are trying to complete themselves by finding that one place where they fit perfectly. The fear of not fitting in can be overwhelming to their young and impressionable minds. They may not fully understand that what they do, is not who they are. So they run quickly from (hypothetical) table to table, frantically trying to find their place before their self-esteem and self-worth is bruised, or worse, altered. Fear, worry and anxiety begin to build up in their hearts, having a crippling effect in their lives. It is our job to teach them to run to Jesus where they will find their perfect fit "in Christ". In Christ, their identity and value are made whole.

Let’s bathe our children in the following scripture every day before they head out the door. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). They are set apart to do amazing things for the kingdom of God. “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9 NKJ) They are set apart to live a life of truth and to share the truth of God’s word with others. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, Him I will also confess before My father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32 NKJ)

Did you know that it is impossible to feel both fear and faith at the same time? Each one has the power to cancel the other out. So we can be certain that when fear wells up in the hearts of our children, it is not from God. We can also be certain that God has equipped each child to fight against that fear. They have been given a weapon that stops fear in its tracks. Fear cannot stand against the power of FAITH. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalms 56:3 NIV)

Now #MomArmy15, let’s pray like our kid’s lives depend on it! You may use the scripture prayer below and insert your child’s name when you see a blank. Or feel free to use other scriptures God has placed on your heart. We would love it if you typed at least one sentence of your prayer in the comments section or left a comment that shares your heart with us. We love you!

Father, thank you for entrusting __________ into my care. I ask for just a dose of the wisdom of Solomon, a portion of the courage of David and a double helping of the faith of Job, so that I can be the Godly influence my child needs.

Help _________ to find her identity in Christ and not in the values of this world. Show ________ that you formed her and then set her apart before she even made her grand entrance into this world.  Etch your truth into the heart of _________help her to see and believe that she was created on purpose for a purpose. Thank you for giving ________ the powerful weapon of FAITH to combat those feeling of fear. Father, when fear begins to stir in _________ heart help her to remember to place her trust in you. There is power in the name of Jesus and because of this we ask all of these things in His holy name. Amen!

This post is part of a blog series hosted by Anna Frye, founder of Chosen And Crowned Ministries. Anna's heart, along with the 12 other mom writers in this series, is to raise up a growing army of moms (#MomArmy15) who Pray Like Their Kids Lives Depend On It. This series runs from Sept. 7-Oct. 2. Join the Mom Army and invite your friends at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog.