Psalm 44:6-8 says,

“For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.”

I have these verses marked in my Bible and the initials C + S next to them. Years ago, when I was homeschooling these two children (C + S), God impressed these verses on me for them. C + S had a lot of difficulties and we spent a lot of time trying to sort them out. C would cry a lot in frustration. S sometimes lied about doing assignments. I took them to an educational specialist and learned about auditory processing and executive functioning.

It was hard.

I always want to be the best at whatever I do. That trait can be good if transformed into doing things with God-glorifying excellence, but the flip side of that trait (in me, at least) looks like a competitive drive soaked in pride. God has lovingly been breaking me of that through being a parent. I had no idea how C + S would do as they grew up. I was scared and anxious most of the time. I questioned myself all the time.

This psalm was written by men who knew war. They had gotten to the point where they realized they couldn’t trust in the weapons of war – their bow or spear or shield.

I got to the point, and am still coming to the point, where I realized I couldn’t trust in any parenting book, or educational method, or perfectly planned out schedule. I am still learning that it’s enough to boast in God, and in him alone.

C + S are 19 and almost 18 now. God has done amazing things in their lives, things I can’t take credit for, praise him! They both graduated high school with honors and both will be in college in the fall.

Surely, I will continue to boast in God and give thanks to his name forever.