Parenting, God & the Israelites

This week’s reading from Exodus 14 reminded me of the powerful moment when the Israelites stood at the edge of the Red Sea, fearful and overwhelmed, with the Egyptian army closing in behind them. As parents, we often find ourselves in similar situations – pressured, anxious and unsure of how to move forward.

Just as the Israelites doubted and feared, we, too, can feel paralyzed when facing the storms of parenting: tough conversations with our children, standing firm in our values when the world pushes back, saying "no" when it would be easier to give in, or navigating the unknowns of our children's futures. These moments can feel like Red Sea moments – impossible to cross.

Yet God spoke through Moses, saying, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm… The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14). Then came the instruction that required faith: “Go forward.”

In parenting, “going forward” often means trusting God when the path is unclear, standing firm when it’s hard and surrendering our anxieties to the one who sees the whole picture. It means believing that God will part the waters when we take the step. He doesn’t ask us to have it all figured out – he asks us to trust that He is with us.

God does not abandon parents in their calling. He equips, strengthens and walks with us through every season. Just as he made a way for the Israelites, He will make a way for you – in your home, your decisions and your parenting journey.

So, this week, let us remember: Be still. Do not be afraid. Trust God. And go forward.


Jerussa Levy is an associate clinical faculty member in the LSUHSC School of Medicine. She and her husband Les are parishioners of St. Clement of Rome Parish in Metairie.