EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
GUEST WRITER: Sara Sahm – Women World Leaders serving with purpose.
“TEACHABLE MOMENTS”
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) NIV
This past year I went thru a dark period of depression and anxiety. The thoughts flooding my mind were not from God, but I did not know how to quiet them. A sweet friend gave me a list of negative thoughts and corresponding Bible verses to fight those thoughts off. I’d never done anything like it before, but it worked. Not immediately, but over time I’ve begun replacing lies with the Word of God.
(Ephesians 6:11) NIV says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Later in verse 17, we are told of our greatest weapon: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
I realized that no one had ever taught me how to defend myself spiritually, and I too had yet to teach my children! It’s natural to avoid things we don’t fully understand so maybe that’s what I did. But God knew this and gave us a manual for this temporary life. It’s said while children are little we are still the experts!
I wanted to take advantage of that and find a way to impart the concept of taking captive our thoughts and replacing them with God’s Word and teach it to my kids. That is how this song Warrior came to be.
Recently I had the opportunity to sing it with my daughter for her class. I was so touched when she asked if I was coming in for Community Helper Week and suggested I sing a song.
Knowing most parents would be coming in to share about being a nurse, policeman, fireman etc., I felt unqualified as a stay-at-home mom to come forward with something. Her asking helped me to see that my little ministry of songwriting indeed qualified me and prompted me to go.
I got to talk with the kids about the armor of God and leave the school knowing I planted a seed.
That day of sharing was such a blessing and I almost missed it because I was afraid to be different. Had I held back because I felt unqualified, my daughter would never have learned the life lessons I hope she did that day.
We got to sing about the Bible and lead by example and that it’s ok to talk about God. I was able to show her that having hope in Jesus is something to be proud of and that on days we feel no hope we can find it again in His Word. I know both my daughters have this song memorized and “ready” for when they need it. Best of all, my daughter got to experience the blessing of proclaiming God’s truth to others.
My daughters watched my battle with depression and have seen how I fought thru and how I still fight every day, it’s an ongoing battle. As parents, we feel we should have all the answers but it’s ok to let them know that sometimes you don’t. Walk humbly with your God and lead by example. I hope my daughters see me walking in honest humility and leaning on the Lord for all my strength because that is where strength awaits.
It is my hope that their little eyes see a mother that leads by example, watching me in the Word of God and daily pick up my shield and sword. It is my prayer that I can take advantage of any teachable moments so that when they find themselves face to face against the enemy, they are ready to fight like a warrior!
Click the link below to see the video with Sara and her daughter and the song, sung at school.