Parenting Through Problems

In this Mother's Day sermon, we delve into the story of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham from Genesis 16:1-16. Sarah, unable to have children, persuades Abraham to conceive a child with her servant Hagar. When Hagar becomes pregnant, tensions rise, leading to conflict. An angel of the Lord intervenes, directing Hagar to return and submit to Sarah, demonstrating God's care and involvement. This narrative offers lessons on humility, the pitfalls of pride, and trusting in God’s plan for our families.

Key Points:

1. Parent in Humility (Genesis 16:1-6):

   • Narrative: Sarah, feeling the weight of her inability to bear children, suggests that Abraham have a child with Hagar. When Hagar becomes pregnant, she looks down on Sarah, leading to conflict. Sarah then mistreats Hagar, who flees.
   • Lesson: Sarah's pride and impatience led to poor decisions and conflict. Parenting with humility involves recognizing our limitations and trusting in God’s timing.

2. Recognize the Dangers of Pride:

   • Human Pride: Sarah's desire to have a child led her to prioritize her own will over God's. Her actions caused strife and suffering for herself and Hagar.
   • Application: Pride can lead us to make decisions based on cultural norms or personal desires, rather than seeking God's guidance. It can also cause us to look down on others and blame them for our own shortcomings.

3. Take Responsibility in the Family:

   • Abraham’s Role: Abraham's passive response to the conflict between Sarah and Hagar demonstrates a lack of leadership. He fails to address the situation directly, allowing tension to grow.
   • Application: Responsible parenting involves actively addressing issues and setting boundaries to maintain harmony and righteousness in the family.

4. Trust in God’s Guidance:

   • Hagar’s Return: The angel of the Lord tells Hagar to return and submit to Sarah, emphasizing humility and obedience. Despite the hardship, this was the path to peace and blessing.
   • Application: Sometimes, the right path involves difficult actions and humility. Trusting in God’s guidance, even when it’s hard, brings about His blessings.

5. Acknowledge God’s Presence and Care:

   • El Roi: Hagar names God "El Roi," meaning "the God who sees me," recognizing His awareness and care in her distress. God assures her of His plans for her and her son.
   • Application: God sees and cares about our struggles and is actively involved in our lives. We can trust in His presence and provision, even in challenging circumstances.

Conclusion: This Mother's Day, let's commit to parenting with humility, taking responsibility, and trusting in God’s guidance. By recognizing the dangers of pride and embracing God’s active presence in our lives, we can nurture our families according to His will. Through humility and trust, we can find peace and blessing in our parenting journey.

 

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