Speaker 1: Life Audio.
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Speaker 2: You're listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, helping you pray God's word for your family in the areas you need it most. I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. Here we believe prayer isn't a last resort.
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Speaker 3: It's our first and best response in parenting, and every day we come together to partner with God for the hearts of our children. Today's devotion is written and read by Elizabeth Lang Thompson, and it comes from her new book In Season, a ninety day devotional for female student athletes to build faith, strength and confidence and train a growth mindset. Today, Elizabeth shares a prayer about when our children face failure. To find out more about Elizabeth or to learn more about the ministry of Million Praying Moms, visit Millionprayingmoms dot com.
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Speaker 4: You'll find a link in our show notes.
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Speaker 2: After a quick word from our sponsors, we'll pray together for our families.
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Speaker 5: Proverbs chapter one, verse eight, Instruct the wise, and they will be wiser. Still, teach the righteous, and they will add to their learning. My daughter Avery was frustrated when I picked her up from lacrosse practice with her new travel team. Mom everybody has more experience than me. They keep having to correct stuff I'm doing wrong. It's so embarrassing. Oh, honey, I said, I hate that feeling too. My daughter and I share a common struggle. We are both perfectionists. We push ourselves hard, and when we don't do everything perfectly, we feel disappointed, embarrassed, and kind of stupid. And when our mistakes affect other people like teammates or friends, we feel even worse. Over the years, the scriptures have helped me, and now they are helping my daughter to make peace with imperfection. We're learning to embrace the growth process. One of my favorite proverbs says this, instruct the wise and they will be wiser. Still, teach the righteous, and they will add to their learning. Proverbs, Chapter one, verse eight. I love how this proverb says that even wise people still have things to learn. The wisest people on earth haven't achieved complete knowledge.
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Speaker 4: Only God has complete knowledge.
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Speaker 5: And even though as followers of Jesus we pursue righteousness daily, we will never reach a point where God says, congratulations, you did it. You conquered every sin and weakness. You're perfect, just like Jesus. Nope, even righteous people who are wholeheartedly seeking the Lord need to keep growing as Christians. There is no limit to how much God can teach us or continue shaping our character if we will lean into the growth process. Avery and I are learning to embrace a simple perspective when we fall short.
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Speaker 4: I just haven't learned that yet.
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Speaker 5: That sentence gives us permission to be imperfect, and the word yet expresses a godly hope and confidence. Maybe I haven't yet mastered a skill I'm trying to learn, or I don't yet have the character trait I'm trying to cultivate. But I'm still growing by faith. I am confident that God can help me get there. My daughter and I are growing together in this attitude.
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Speaker 4: Are the crucible in.
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Speaker 5: Which Avery is learning powerful lessons about humility and resilience. She is realizing that mistakes, corrections, and coaching ultimately make her better. Sports taught me similar lessons in high school. But God is not done teaching me today. He is using my marriage and parenting, my career, my friendships, and my church community to continue shaping me. Every time I make a mistake in any of those areas, God teaches me something new about relationships, or handling conflicts with grace, or trusting him through confusing or painful times. Every time I fall, it's an opportunity to remember it's okay to keep growing.
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Speaker 4: I just haven't learned that yet. The next time you fall.
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Speaker 5: Short or feel disappointed in yourself in some way, don't get down on your yourself.
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Speaker 4: Remember the lesson of Proverbs one verse eight.
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Speaker 5: There's always more wisdom to gain and more righteousness to grow into. Instead of telling yourself, I am such a disappointment. I should have known better. Just remind yourself that it is never too late to keep learning. Encourage yourself with these words. I just haven't learned that yet. Let's pray. Father, how wonderful to know that we aren't stuck in the people we are today or limited to the knowledge we already have. You can keep molding us, granting us more wisdom and strength as we go through life. Thank you for being our faithful, patient teacher. We welcome your guidance and are grateful for the blessing and privilege of growth.
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Speaker 4: In Jesus' name, Amen, I.
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Speaker 2: Hope you are following along with us in our summer book club featuring the book When Mothering is hard and no one sees by Scheline Roberts. If you have not joined us yet, it's not too late to jump in. Head to the homepage of our website to.
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Speaker 1: Find out more. Until next time, friends, the Lord bless.
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Speaker 2: You and keep you. Make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord look with favor on you and give you his peace.