Encourage your children while your spouse is away on business

My husband, son and I rarely spend time apart. We don't have a large extended family and none of them live nearby. It's just us! Finally, to my great dismay, the time came for my husband to embark on his first week-long business trip abroad.

It initially did not go well with our son, age seven. He shed some tears and was sad the moment my husband left. To encourage him, I explained; that he should be happy for his dad because it is a happy occasion, and if his dad never went, he won't be able to buy those lovely gifts all the way from another country. I then put on his favorite comedy show and we laughed the evening away.

As a mother, I had to exude strength from God to give my child strength. Being courageous is infectious, it makes others around you feel strong in Christ too. Christ commands us to be courageous, because 'courage' is a choice, and it is a choice that reveals your trust in God which always has a blessed, beautiful outcome.

After comforting my son, I decided to read my Bible, I randomly opened to any page, and it happened to open to Psalms 121. Immediately I felt the peace of God surround me. What a stunning manner for God to give us peace of mind specifically for my husbands first trip abroad. Psalms 121: 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

God speaks with us through His Word (the Bible). I thought I had casually flipped to any page in the Bible at the time, however, it was the Holy Spirit who led me to read that specific verse in order to give us peace of mind..

When a parent is away, especially for the First Time, it's always difficult for children, here are some tips to encourage them:

• Prepare your child a few days in advance and have them help pack the suitcases. Our son chose a bowtie for my husband. My husband rarely uses bowties but by including our son in the planning it mentally prepared him, he understood that his father would be gone for a week.

• Instead of telling your children how to feel, let them talk about their feelings, encourage them, and reassure them that with strong faith in God, everything will be fine.

• Be sure to stay connected with your spouse and keep the conversations exciting yet calm. Let your spouse to reassure the children that he or she is enjoying his or her time abroad and will return home soon; this gave our son peace of mind, knowing dad is happy and will be home soon.

• Don’t forget to pray together online with your spouse, my husband called often as possible, and he also called to do our usual “good-night” prayer together.

• Keep your kids routine going, it's best not to skip church during this time.

• Remind your youngsters of the love and affection you all have for each other as a family. Love, hugs and cuddles offers children strength and confidence. Godly Love is powerful.

• Most importantly have fun together with your children while your spouse is away. Solo parenting isn't easy, so keep away from anything that will stress you out during this time.

The first day might already feel like an eternity away, here are some Bible verses to help you through it:

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." – Colossians 3:15

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

God Bless you

~Natlie Loots~