When God Parents Our Kids


Recently, I dreamed I was working on a task and nonchalantly called out across our house to my teenage daughter for something. But she didn't answer, and I just shrugged it off as I was busy, figuring she just didn't hear me. Not long after, I heard a faint, rhythmic metallic noise, and as it came more into my consciousness, I instinctively wondered if it might be my daughter trying to get someone's attention. I went to a certain part of the house and peeled back some wooden floorboards - which, of course, is "completely normal" - and she was there underneath, wrapped up in a rolled carpet on top of a floor vent blowing heat, and she had a pacifier in her mouth. Note that I said she is a teenager. She had, as I imagined, been using her feet to bang on the floor vent to get someone's attention as to where she was and that she needed help.

Dreams like this are hard to wake up from. It was the same with my sister's dream about me and my kids being in our old house and it being on fire. But these dreams serve a purpose, so the "startle" is necessary in its purpose: to get your attention. 


I began to meditate and ask Holy Spirit to give me understanding about the symbolism, as well as wisdom about what to do. It was a weekend, and I believe God strategically waited until then to release the message, because I had time to ponder it and also spend time with my daughter. I asked her to sit with me, which we often do on weekend mornings over coffee, and answer some questions: 

  • Do you feel trapped / buried? (floor boards / rolled carpet)
  • Do you feel like you're suffocating and smothered? (lying on heat vent in enclosed space)
  • Do you feel like you're needing soothing, or that you're self-soothing in not the healthiest ways? (pacifier)
  • Do you feel like you need help but don't know what you need? (kicking air vent to call for help)
After thinking for about 10 seconds, she said, "Yes, absolutely." And she added that she had also had a dream that same night where God was showing her something unclean. If this is unfamiliar language, I just mean that, in her dream, there was a symbolic representation of an unclean spiritual force at work ("on assignment"). So, God was doing what I call the "two-fold witness" confirmation, where he confirms the same thing through at least two people. {You can read another example of this in my story: Frederick - Peaceful Ruler.) This happens a good bit among our family when God is trying to release a message that he wants us to grasp. 

So, this dream opened up the door for discussion with my daughter, and it was relieving to her that God "had her number." Notice that I said relieved. She felt seen. God is SO good at this business of seeing us. 


This isn't the first time this has happened. Years ago, we had this same experience, but she wasn't versed enough in the way God spoke to her to catch it then. We had both experienced very symbolic dreams in the same night, and as we analyzed them together, we realized that God was speaking a clear message that something wasn't right and needed to be dealt with. The enemy had tried to come at my daughter through a back door, so to speak, and God was shining a light on the situation to reveal. This situation actually became major training ground in our family for interpreting dreams and how God works among us to confirm things he is saying, which is such a beautiful picture, because it's not just one person hearing. It's all of us. This can obviously also happen outside of a family...among friends, other church believers, even strangers. But as this blog is about my experiences, I want to encourage you in the fact that God moves among families, if you haven't experienced this. And if not, pray for it.

Even more beautiful than the fact that God speaks to us is the fact that he cares enough - and LONGS - to do so. As parents, we carry so much weight and just want the best for everyone in our family. But I had a blind spot. Even with my best intentions and efforts, it wasn't good enough. Instead of this being a scary thought at the time, I was OVERWHELMED with awareness that God not only has me, but he has my kids. The awe of that moment trumped any fear I might have had. He is their parent first and foremost, and he cares for them more perfectly than I ever could or will. And then my feeling behind AWE was straight up GRATITUDE. How amazing that he just loves us so much. Through his revelations, my daughter was saved out of a situation that was causing emotional turmoil and torment by the enemy. And God rescued her. 

I decided to share these experiences for the guardians out there of precious kiddos. I also asked my daughter for her permission to share. I read stories and testimonies all the time of people fighting for their kids...their health, their minds, their souls, their very lives. And I just want to remind you that you are not fighting alone. And, not to be discouraging, but rather to encourage relaxation, even with your best efforts, there will be blind spots. We get busy, we have to work, we are planning dinner, events, schedules, tending to business, and doing life. God doesn't have these issues. He sees all and watches all. And he can read hearts like open books. So, he knows how to read your kiddos, what they need, and how to get through to you and them. It also reminds us to lean on him, because in our weakness (blind spots), he is strong (all-seeing) (1 Cor 12:10).


My prayer for this blog post is a prayer of agreement, that the purposes God has ordained for your child's or children's life/lives come to pass (Jer 29:11). That mercy and goodness follow them all the days of their life (Ps 23:6). That Holy Spirit's conviction and revelation rest on them (1 Cor. 2:10-16). That they will know the love of God so deeply in their lives (Rom 8:38-39). And that they will be free in Christ (2 Cor 3:17). 

Blessings,

   - Jenny


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