The Family: Parenting
Word on the street is that PARENTING is the hardest job that one could have. Now, some may say that parenting should not be considered to be a “job”, and probably because it is full of rewarding, priceless efforts and moments in time. HOWEVER, let’s just keep it real………… there are many nights of frustrations, tears and fears! But yes, our children are truly gifts from God, that many times has us questioning how He could entrust such delicate blessings into our care. Here we are, trying to raise these kids and we still need to be raised ourselves! See, that’s where God’s grace steps in and takes over, because as we try to navigate life, He gives us what we need to help our children to also navigate life. If we train a child in the way that they should go, intentionally raising them with God’s wisdom, love and commands, though they may stray and bump their head………. the Word of God will always be with them, guiding them back to a righteous path.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
If you are a parent to a child of any age, or you are planning and praying to one day become a parent, I want to give you some advice…………….. YOU ARE NOT PERFECT. You would think that this goes without saying, but it’s important that it is said over and over and over again. Godly parents wants nothing more than to please God and to show Him that they can indeed, be the parent that He has called for them to be. However, once the vicissitudes of life creeps up, parents can begin to feel unequipped and like a failure to their children and to God. YOU ARE NOT PERFECT. Parents do not have all of the answers, only God does. Parents cannot change their children’s heart, only God can. Parents are not perfect, only God is. I want to encourage you, to give yourself some grace. The tears, fears and frustrations…………. ARE REAL! Yes, sometimes it does feel more like a job, then a majestic calling from the Lord. YOU GOT THIS.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 NIV
The PRODIGAL SON left his home, with his inheritance to party, fornicate and to forget all about the rules and regulations that he was given by his parents. Just think of how distraught his parents were, to know that their son was on a dark road, blinded by worldly pleasures. I’m sure that not only did they question if they would ever see their son again, but I’m very sure that they questioned themselves, as well. No matter what rules we establish within our homes, nor how many times it is that we pray with and for our children………………. THE DEVIL SEEKS TO STEAL, TO KILL AND TO DESTROY our families, our relationships and our children’s futures. It was by the mercy of God, that the son returned home and it was by the grace of God that his father excepted him with open arms. There no perfect parenting, but there is a perfect God!
““When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:17-18, 20 NIV
Be sure to give your kids as many hugs and kisses as you can, but also be sure to lay a firm foundation that is built from God’s Word. Invite God unto your parenting and be willing to surrender your own childhood traumas and fears over to Him as well. Generational curses and strongholds are REAL, and they are destroying the institution of FAMILY. Children are turning against their parents and parents are turning against their children; IT IS WRITTEN. We are living is some very confusing, scary and critical times, so your relationship with your children is very fragile and delicate. Be a safe place for your children, offering both soft and firm love when needed. There will most definitely be many challenging days and nights, but with God’s GRACE and MERCY………………… YOU WILL SUCCEED.
““Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.” Matthew 10:21 NIV
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