Strength When Your Parenting on Empty - Your Nightly Prayer - September 22nd

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Strength When You’re Parenting on Empty
Your Nightly Prayer
By Angie Grant

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Home, by definition, can take on several meanings. But as a little girl, my one desire was for it to be a place where I would have a dozen (that changed!) of sweet babies who would experience love, a place to belong, and a place of comfort at the end of a school day. 

Fast forward, I didn't have 12 babies- but I did have 4. Home throughout the years has not been picture-perfect, and some seasons have been downright HARD. For instance, when my eldest entered the teenage years, it was a particularly challenging time. Hormones, puberty setting in, the quest for independence, yet still unable to make sound decisions all the time. Navigating so much unknown territory- especially with your first! You wonder if you're going to make it! The battle of not taking any of what you're up against personally is a feat in and of itself. 

Hard seasons, with their heartbreak and discouragement, can leave you feeling crushed from the inside out. 

We are reminded in Galatians (6:9), "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 

When life feels hard, when what we are up against feels overwhelming, when we feel disconnected or even unfulfilled, we want to give up! We get weary. However, remember that during these seasons, we are often tempted to give up on what is good. And sometimes we must be reflective to determine what 'good is.' But when we do, a promise is attached to persevering - it's a harvest. This is where we find our encouragement to keep going.

-Find joy in the little things —the smile you receive or the smile you give.
-Focus on delighting in your child, even in the midst of chaos. What do you love about them?
-Celebrate small wins —kind words, trying again.
-Be thankful for the playful moments —and if you can't think of any, play more!
And lastly, dream about the harvest! Let's reflect on the possibilities and God's preferred futures for our homes. 

A harvest represents the evidence of the seeds we have sown. In the context of parenting, it's the fruit of our intentional parenting done in love and consistency, even when results aren't immediate (the most challenging part!).

Like a farmer, as parents, we persevere for the harvest. Farmers wake early, preparing the soil, planting seed, and tending to the ground, often without immediate signs of any growth. There are then long stretches where the work is exhausting, and the land looks unchanged, but the farmer keeps going! Why? Because he is sure that the harvest is coming. Parenting is much the same. We pour out countless prayers, offer patience, correction, compassion, and grace, and often our homes feel hard, cold, and unyielding. There are days when we wonder if it's working - days when we question everything. But like the farmer, we stay the course. We keep showing up, watering with love and compassion, pulling up the weeds as necessary, and trusting what we cannot yet see. We notice relationships that feel safe and whole. Our home begins to resemble a refuge—a place where voices soften, apologies come more easily, and peace lingers a little longer. 

We witness character taking shape. Moments where truth begins to be spoken, when kindness wins, and where responsibility is chosen over convenience. Empathy shows up in unexpected places—in a shared toy, a whispered "are you okay?", or a decision to forgive. These are seeds bearing fruit. We see spiritual roots breaking through the surface. Prayers are no longer prompted but initiated. Questions about God's heart and their purpose begin to rise. Scripture isn't just memorized—it's applied. These small glimpses remind us: God is at work.

Emotional growth becomes more visible, too. Instead of melting down, our kids take a breath. They name their big feelings and choose a pause instead of an explosion. These are not just victories—they are miracles in motion. And in the middle of the messy and mundane, there are moments of joy and unity that sparkle. Giggling siblings, family hugs that no one asked for, dinners filled with more peace than correction. It feels like home. It feels like grace.

Even in the hard places, resilience is rising. We see little ones fall—and get back up. They try again, even when it's difficult. Disappointment doesn't define them. Strength is being built in the stretch. This is the kind of growth only God can sustain. This is our harvest. It's not perfect or polished. But it is sacred. And it is worth every seed sown in faith. The harvest might be slow, but it’s coming- I’m praying for yours- Can’t you see it?

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
Help us not to become weary in doing good – our hope is the harvest that you promise to give us when we don’t give up. There are days and seasons where giving up might seem to be the easiest; help us to know you are always at work, interceding on our behalf, on our children’s behalf. Remind us that you are with us and that we were never meant to parent without you! We thank you for wisdom and discernment as we raise our children. Help us see the harvest, even if it looks like seeds right now. Help us to see that parenting is sacred work.
We look forward to seeing the harvest in our homes and are forever grateful that you walk with us and call us your own.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. What areas might I have “given up on” that need my attention?

2. Have I thought about the harvest in my home? What might it look like?

3. Where do I see God at work? What have I overlooked?

Photo Credit:  ©Getty Images/anatoliy_gleb

Angie Grant is passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves—whether in family life, ministry leadership, or in supporting schools and educators. She’s all in! Her greatest joys—besides Jesus and her husband, Stan—are the four who call her “Mom” (three biological and one through the gift of adoption). An even sweeter title? “Lolli” to her five grandkids.

Angie holds a degree in Child and Family Studies and currently serves on the staff at Cloverhill Church, where she and her husband have been leading for over 25 years. She is the Executive Director of Cloverhill Christian Academy, located in Midlothian, Virginia. Angie is a dedicated advocate for foster children and families, and also serves as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner, offering support in her community and beyond. In addition to her roles in church and education, Angie contributes her insight and leadership as a board member for Families First and the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services.

How does she do it all? With purpose and passion—as a coach in family life, ministry, and schools, Angie brings experience, empathy, and a heart for helping others thrive.

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