As a parent, my tank sometimes reaches empty, unable to give from what’s left inside. I forget that God wants to overflow me with His presence. Instead of making myself parent correctly, He wants me to tap into His available strength so I am able to cheerfully give to my children. Jesus said, “Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says” (John 7:38, MSG). Paul says, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). We give out of the abundance God pours into us. What would it look like if you lived this way in your family today? Describe a day in the life of you living from your abundance, giving cheerfully.

—Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth’s guided journal, “Creating the Family You Always Wanted,” a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family–and God–in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.