Dear Mama, One Day You’ll Thank God for Your Strong-Willed Child. Here’s Why…

And that’s more than okay. It’s actually a blessing and I wouldn’t change it if I could. Even when saying no means tempers flare or make the meanest mom. I’ll take it.

I pulled my friend close and I said these words, “Listen, I know strong-willed children are challenging. They push our buttons, they make us question our parenting. We cry and beg for answers. But they are used by God to transform us. They show us our humanity, our weakness and mostly how much we need Jesus. We want our determined, fierce kids to stand up first to us so someday they can stand up against the world.”

I thought of my own strong-willed girls who have stood against most of my food and friend and fashion suggestions for years, only to see them stand up for faith in the face of a culture that lacks it.

The beauty of strong-willed children is that they are strong.

They will try and lead and manipulate us; starve and dress themselves and win every argument. Their determination will embarrass and thrill us all in the same day.

We will beg and barter and bribe. We will question every move we make and cringe at every fit. But we will remember that their fierce determination is channeled into velvet strength and these kids who won’t give up their will, also will not give in.

Yes, they chase hard after what they want, but they also chase hard after what’s right.

So, listen close, mom of the strong-willed child, be encouraged. That little one will change the world.

But first, she will change you.