Not today, Devil

The last few weeks have been tough. I can't put my finger on why, I honestly don't know if it's hormones, the nights drawing in, the stress of life... or a combination of these, but I've struggled to shake this darkness hanging around me and it's got pretty bad - so much so that I'm now convinced there might be a spiritual element to it.

Part of it might be that I've become acutely aware of some of the evil that exists in this world. I've become aware that however hard I try, I cannot protect my kids from some of the stuff that goes on out there. I've realised that as much as my kids might be sheltered from it, there are kids in their worlds who are entrenched in difficult situations, battles, abuse... the stuff of nightmares.

I've realised that innocence is stolen far too early and that the very people who are meant to love and protect these kids are the ones who seek to destroy their childhoods.

I've spent some time over the past month or so, supporting one particular family - providing emergency childcare when it's all got too much or when the system appears to have failed them, praying for them and with them, celebrating the answered prayers whilst consoling them when those answers don't provide the results that they were hoping for.

Honestly, what I've done is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. But I'd like to think that in some way I've been able to shine a little light in the darkness.

We can wrap our babies up in cotton wool. We can instil good morals. We can come down with the force of the laws, rules and regulations. We can fiercely protect them with all our might. But I know that at some point, we let our babies out into the world. And the world can be a cruel, dark place.

Sometimes it must feel like we're sending them out to the lions, so ill-prepared, so ill-equipped. Even now, I pray fervently that I'll do a good job. That my kids will be safe. That they'll know what to do. That they'll make wise choices. But they are not my choices to make. And there will come a time when they fly from the nest - maybe prematurely - and the world could eat them up. There will be other people, external influencers who might seek to do them harm, or lead them astray, or take advantage of their good nature, their innocence.

How can we raise our children knowing that this is a reality? Do we just do our best and send them out on a wing and a prayer, crossing our fingers and hoping beyond hope that they'll come out on top? That they'll be ok?

I know that often the facts of this world look pretty grim. But I place my trust in the TRUTH of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Truth which supersedes all the facts.

The Bible says that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) - to steal your innocence, your purity, your faith, your joy. That is his aim on this planet. But Jesus goes on to say 'But I have come that you might have LIFE and life MORE ABUNDANT!' I pray my kids will experience this Life and be wise to the tricks of the devil as it instructs us to be in Ephesians 6:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God’s full armour. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing." ~ Ephesians 6:10-13

It is interesting to note that this passage comes directly after a passage on parenting. How much do we need God's protection for ourselves and our children when we are raising our kids?

I know that the devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy my family.

I know that our fight is not just one that takes place on this earth; it takes place in the heavenlies, against spiritual powers and forces of darkness; I know that there is an evil world out there.

And while my babies are peacefully sleeping upstairs, I join together with the angels of heaven, I will don my armour and raise my sword and I will fight on their behalf.

If the devil thinks he can come anywhere near my house, my marriage, my family or my kids then he must contend with the full force of heaven to even get a foot in the door! My house is washed in the blood of Jesus and NOTHING can separate it from the love of Jesus Christ!

Whatever the devil seeks to throw at us, we have the God of the Angel Armies watching our back. We have every weapon in God's huge arsenal to fight a good fight, and we have angels protecting this household.

So devil, you can give it your best shot. But my babies belong to Jesus. They are His. He is ours. And whatever you seek to do, whatever evil you wish to throw at us, we are ready. We are fighting. And we will continue to fight for our families until our dying day.

And ultimately, at the end of each day when we close our eyes, and at the beginning of each day when we rise before the rest of the house, we commit our families into Jesus' hands. And where our weapons fail us, where our strength diminishes, He stands, roaring like a lion, fighting on our behalf.

A song for all occasions

This month I'm taking part in #Blogtober18 - blogging every day in October (and failing miserably)! I'm not going to follow any particular prompts, but will be attempting to provide a steady stream of content to give the site a boost in these early days! #PrayForMe! You can follow along with a whole host of bloggers on social media by searching #Blogtober18