Outline
–What does it mean to be a parent?
–Why is this important?
–THE CONS:
-THE PROS:
-Show more than you talk:
-In conclusion:
-What does it mean to be a parent?
Let us start at the top to cover all bases.
A parent is a person’s Father and Mother—one who gives birth to a child or nurtures and raises a child. Parenting is a job that is usually anxiously awaited for and prayed for. When one obtains it, the overwhelming joy of being given the honor to have that job surpasses any negative that can hinder that joy. This joy is a powerful force that can overcome any challenge. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Sometimes, people are thrust into that job and do not feel fully prepared to acquire it, but still, it changes their perspective once it is obtained. Yet others like Jonah from the Bible have been given the job and will run from it despite being chosen to do it.
“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.” Jonah 1:3.
No matter how hard the task may seem, if God has put it before you, He knows you can handle it. Please do not run from it; it will only make the journey painful and longer. Embrace it and walk it our trusting God’s plan for you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Pray, listen to what God directs you to do, and obey quickly. Remember, prayer is not just a formality but a powerful tool that can guide and support you in your parenting journey.
-Why is this important?
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.”Psalms 127:3-4 NIV.
Another version reads:
“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.”Psalms 127:3-5 MSG.
Some receive the blessing of having children, and then some pray night and day for God to bless them. As was the case for Hannah:
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11 NIV.
While some pray for children, others use them for horrible reasons.
“You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.” Deuteronomy 12:31 NIV.
Wherever one finds themselves, children are a blessing from God and should not be taken for granted.
Raising children is a ministry, and it is one of those cases in which not one instruction fits all. Just because your neighbor or relative said this is how they did it and how it works does not mean that your child fits that same rule and do not compare them to someone else’s child—having that personal relationship with Jesus Christ and seeking Him in prayer, searching for parenting books based on your child’s age will help become the Parent you are called to be. Become involved in faith-based community groups that believe and follow the Bible as a standard of living. While attending those groups, listening to different ideas and strategies for inspiration and guidance can help. That means taking notes on what is being shared that can be useful in your situation but not making it a law unless what is being shared will help you and your child’s relationship thrive.
–THE CONS:
Every item purchased from the store typically comes with basic instructions on handling and caring for it. It also includes warning sections, and of course, if there are any issues with it, they usually advise you to call the number or email for help handling the product before deciding to return it. When a child is born into this world, they do not come with personal care instruction, but based on the number of children born daily, extensive research has been done on proper care guides to help any new parent or seasoned Parent care for their child.
You might think, okay, I already knew that, but what happens when the hospital stay ends and you are discharged to go home to continue the basic instructions and raising the child properly? Only to find out that your child has unique requirements. They need extra attention at night, or they will sleep through the night most nights, leaving you wondering if this is normal. Or how about you find out, you birthed a genius that begins to surpass every child at their grade level? Pushing you to invest more time and resources into extracurricular activities or volunteer projects because they need more to do. Or how about your child, who has begun demonstrating natural leadership skills, and one day, you find out they are on track to change this world in an impactful way?
Some Cons are disguised as blessings, while others are like thorns in our flesh, keeping us humble before God and seeking guidance on how to raise this gift God has given us.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6. As a parent raises their child, the best practice a Mother or Father can do is pray for them and dedicate them back to God. Prayer will help keep children protected even when we can’t always protect them.
Teaching them about prayer, growing a personal relationship with our Savior, and attending a Church that believes in the full gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation to navigate life and discover who God has called them to be. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
Nowadays, so many great resources are available, but even with all of this, God is still the best teacher to help us navigate parenting. He will direct us on what to do with the children He has blessed us with. Just as we would call a manufacturer when we are having issues with an item we purchased, we must call on God, the creator of our child, for guidance on specific care instructions when problems in our parenting journey arise.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”Proverbs 3:1-2.
Seek God and remain before him for guidance in all areas of your life, especially parenting. When it seems like this parenting thing is a bit much, let me direct you to this powerful scripture and be lead to do the following:
“Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].” James 4:10. How you may ask?
- Submit….to God. Yield to his authority and will as a parent. Commit to him and his control, and be willing to follow him.
- Resist the devil. Don’t allow satan to entice you to give up on your kids. You can never give up on them, even if they run. Prayer goes further than your hands. If you must go on a Fast for your prodigal son or daughter, DO IT! We are in a war and must continue to fight until we are called to go home and be with the Lord.
- Wash your hands…and purify your heart. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10. Live a righteous life. When you open the door to sin, you are easy prey for satan to wreak havoc on your life and your kids’ lives. Replace sin with purity in all areas.
- Grieve for what you have done and repent. Turn away and replace the bad behavior with a good one.
- Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up. Go before God daily and remember that parenting cannot be done without God’s help and guidance. Even though we do not deserve God’s favor, He reaches out to us in love and mercy.
–THE PROS:
Did you know the child you are raising is the next ________(Fill in the blank) do you believe it? What if you are raising the next world-renowned Doctor? Or God’s Prophet, who will help lead people back to Christ in their generation. Or The Future President? How about the greatest Inventor that has ever lived?
First, do you believe God sent you this child to change the world? If not, we need to start there. There is a purpose for this child. People are not receiving the blessing of a child left and right, even though it may seem like it. There are women in the Bible to this day and age who have been praying for years to have a baby. “so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.”
Genesis 16:2. In Sarai’s desperation to want a child, she took matters into her own hands, and the following series of events is a must-read.
As I mentioned above, children are a gift from the Lord and a reward from him. But do you believe this is God’s baby and a gift he is entrusting you with? Children might not look like what they will become, but that does not mean that they won’t become what God has ordained for them to become.
“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the Father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.” Genesis 17:20. Ishmael was the son of Abraham, born to him from his wife’s slave named Hagar. Despite the circumstances, God blessed Ishmael and decided to build something powerful through him. No matter the circumstances in which your child came into this world, they are no less valuable in God’s eyes. Our job is to teach, protect, and care for them as God ordains.
“THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.
If, up to this point, you feel like you have made many mistakes as a parent or have hurt your child or adult child. It is never too late to repent to God, turn away, and then repent to the children. Will it be easy? Depending on how deep the wound is, it might take a lot of work to redeem the relationship based on the child’s age, but it is never too late. Our family is our first ministry and an important one to God. “For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?” 1 Timothy 3:5.
We must ensure our family is cared for and that we are right with every member. If the children are minors, they tend to forgive a lot easier than adult children based on the offense, but let God restore you and guide you and pray that he heals your child’s wounds, too.
–Show more than you talk:
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8.
If you want your kids to act a certain way, make sure you are following your request. You might say, “Make your bed and clean your room.” Well, is your bed made and your room clean? Or you may say, “Eat your vegetables or make better choices.” But can they see you eating better foods and making wiser choices? They typically live with you; you cannot hide because they are always watching, even when you don’t think so. And if, for whatever case, they do not live with you, when they come to be with you, they are really watching how you manage yourself and if you back up what you say. You are their example of learning basic and sound life skills to help them become better adults.
Is your lifestyle worth copying? If not, make the necessary changes so they will want to incorporate your good traits.
–In conclusion:
No matter how bad it seems, with God, all things are possible. Do you believe it? “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13. Your kids need you to believe in them even when all hope seems lost.
Our God believes in us, forgives us daily, and saves us from the mess we are in and continually get in. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:12-14.
There is a reason you are navigating that test and trial. It is all part of the plan. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. Trust God and continue running your race, not looking to the right or the left.
Heavenly Father, I pray for the person on the other side of this screen who took time out of their precious day to read these lines you’ve given me to write, to help, encourage, and edify them to be the Parent they are called to be, All for your glory. Father, help, strengthen, and continue to guide them as you desire. Help them navigate each parenting season and understand that some seasons might require more of them and some less, but you are with them through it all. Thank you for their yes in caring and loving the child you’ve blessed them with. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
BrendaHubbard 
Leave a comment