How to Parent
As I travel on down the path of life, it is becoming more and more apparent that the most important job in the world is that of being a parent. Those of you who don’t have children will probably shake your heads at that one. The first time I heard someone say that their children made the whole deal worthwhile, I was absolutely amazed. What in the world were they thinking?
Some of you who do have children are so beleagured that you wonder why you ever had them. I didn’t say that it is an easy job–only that it is the most important. And the more I realize how crucial the position of being a parent really is, the more I feel my own inadequacy for the role. I can’t always make the right choices for my own life. The truth is that I fail daily. How can I direct the future of these precious children? Tough one, isn’t it?
As I ponder that thought this morning, one thought seems most pertinent: Isn’t it perfect that the most important being in the universe–the Creator–is referred to in scripture as “Father”? I mean think about it. There is no higher office than the one who owns it all, made it all, is in control of it all. Wouldn’t you think that God would want to be called “Your Holiness” or “CEO Extreme”?
But that’s not the case, is it? Scripture even goes as far as to refer to God as “Abba” (e.g. Romans 8:15). Abba is akin to our word, Daddy. It is a term of very close endearment. What an incredible thought. Father God, Creator of All, has given life to me and draws me to Himself like a daddy draws his boy–like I drew my own boy this morning and kissed him as he slept. I love him with all of my heart–the same way that the Father loves me…and you.
How can I parent then? Why not take a few hints from the supreme Parent? How about if I study how God deals with me and look closely at Scripture to see what recommendations He has given me for accomplishing this huge job? And what’s the first thing I see? God is Love (1 John 4:8, NKJV).
Our family started about a year ago to work on the practice (not theory, but practice) of being loving and kind to one another. If that is an easy, no-brainer in your family, then I am glad for you–God is with you mightily. For us, though, loving and kind is often difficult. We often get sideways and snappy. We speak with more than a hint of anger. We gripe, badger, and belittle. I hate to say that, but it’s true. That’s why have been stuck on that one principle for so long-we haven’t got it down to well yet.
I do believe that this is the beginning of good parenting, though, is loving kindness. Sometimes it’s easy–every time the baby laughs or smiles, my heart melts–but much of the time I am so caught up in my own concerns that I am perturbed by an interruption to my concentration on me.
God help me to realize the importance of being a daddy. God help me to point them towards You…towards Love. God help me learn simple loving kindness.
Faith and Fear
Here’s another way to gauge the depth of one’s relationship to the Father: How do you act/react in an emergency?
In an earlier post, I told about what happened when my son broke his arm. In that post, I admitted that I ran on self for a couple of hours before I thought to really stop and pray about the situation. I ended that story by saying that the next time would be different.
Well, the “next time” came, and things really weren’t different. Recently, my nine year old daughter was missing. She had last been seen by her brother, riding her bike towards the church where a wedding party was going on. I yelled for her. No answer. I panicked. Read more
God is with you…
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV).
What an amazing thought this is. We usually think of it the other way around–we will rejoice in the Lord and sing unto Him–yet, God takes delight in His people.
The prior verse says, “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not…”
Fear is certainly not lacking in Israel, or in the people of God, today. This will all change, though, when God delivers His children. He is mighty to save.
Hosanna!
The value of Looking…
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels…singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb.” (Revelation 5:11-12 NSRV)
I sat working at the computer this morning for an hour, before finally turning away and looking out the window. The sun had risen. The mountains, with trees beginning to show spring new growth, were now visible. I could hear a chorus of birdsong greeting the new day. Until I turned from my concentration, though, and looked…I was oblivious to the sunrise.
So it is with my prayer life and my walk with God. I am often too busy to notice He is there. Forgive me, Father. May I wake up, this day, and abide in You.
The bottom line…
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39 (NKJ)
The gifts of God
May you be given more and more of God’s kindness, peace, and love. (Jude 1:2, TLB)
O How Abundant
O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone! (Psalm 31.19, NRSV)
Only One Hope…
The following was previously printed on the Roadturn blog. I share it here, as well.
The happy day has arrived! Once you tread through those goofy April Fools’ Day jokes (or finish “hunting the gowk,” as it were,) then turn your ears, heart, and pen to the celebration of poetry. Yes, all of April is National Poetry Month!
The high point of the celebration will come on April 17th, on the first ever national Poem in Your Pocket Day. Many of my English students have taken that idea a bit further and have announced their intentions to carry a poem in their pocket every day during April. Sure to be challenged concerning my own dedication to the craft, I have just finished composing my own poem for the day–it is freshly written on an index card and read to be wielded each time someone queries, “Hey, have you read any good poetry lately?”
Here’s mine. It is inspired by an experience this morning as I checked in with my Maker…I envisioned myself as a sailor who had been shipwrecked and was holding, for dear life, onto a floating timber (I was grasping the edge of the fireplace mantle, in prayer.)
Like a drowning man
from a broken ship,
I cling to you, Oh God.
Desperate in my need
Unable to proceed,
I cling to you, Oh God.
It is your altar,
I am your child,
You will nor forsake
my cry
to you,
Oh, Lord.
I wish you and yours the best day, the best month…ever!
Come, Holy Spirit
There is opposition at every turn. Pride, fear, and ignorance abound. I am speaking of myself, yes, but also of you. We are a people pretending to be fine, but we are not. We are a people acting as if we have all the answers, but we do not. The enemy is tearing us apart and picking us off. But, we are “fine.” We need to change, to repent, to put on the armor, to fight back. Who can save us? Who can help us? Who can lead us to freedom and victory? The Father is in Heaven. Jesus is at his right hand. We are to join them in Glory, soon. But, what about now? There is a Comforter, sent from Heaven, who is with us in our struggles. Come now, Holy Spirit. Embrace us in our time of need. Fill us, lift us up, give us the words to glorify the Father and the Son. Teach us the Gospel, the Good News, that we may share it with others.
He is of Great Mercy!
God is good, there’s no way around it. He is longsuffering, compassionate, and desires the very best for us all. I am constantly amazed at how little I do and how much I get. I am a long ways from being a “prayer warrior”; I try to stay in the Word, but there are constant distractions; I need to get up earlier, to work later, to listen more and talk less. I need a kinder, gentler heart. I need to love the unlovable and minister to the unpardonable. I want to be a man of God, yet I must confess that fear, lack of faith, and selfishness hold me back constantly. I don’t deserve to be a Christian; yet I am. Thank you, Lord. You are “gracious, slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8).
Focus
Our family verse is “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). My paraphrase is, “Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will work out fine.” That verse is a big part of how we ended up working as missionaries. God’s word is powerful, indeed.
These past few days, then, have been a real lesson to me–I have been pulled away from a vision for revival. And as is often the case, the distraction was not a “bad” thing, but a good one. My school has been having computer/internet problems. So, as one who is fairly well versed in the technology, I was asked to take part in the repair efforts. As a result, the last 72 hours have been mostly devoted to internet security issues, and my focus has suffered.
What is the lesson? As I see it, there are two parts. First, that even though I am multi-talented, I cannot do everything. I sense a real pull to closely evaluate my calling and to keep it center-stage in all that I do.
A second realization is that I may engage in a number of activities–as long as my primary direction is not lost in the process. To illustrate, suppose that I choose to drive from Boston to Seattle. There is no problem with stopping along the way or even in diverting a bit to see a special sight. If I were to get hung up in Omaha though, and lose track of my initial desire, I may never make it to Seattle.
There is no lack of valid tasks that need to be accomplished, but it is crucial that I not lose sight of my primary purpose and lose myself in them. There is nothing either mundane or sacred about any particular chore. The important thing is that I invite and recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in every moment.
Your comments and personal experiences on this topic are invited and welcome. May God continue to bless and keep you and yours on this and every day.
