Christian Parenting 2: Parenting and seeing...
- children as precious
- children as a blessing
- children as defenseless and in need of a champion
- children as in need of love
- children as in need of our listening ear
- children as in need of our support
- children need our patience--they do not always do every thing right (and neither do we)
- children need our mercy--always ready to reconcile and keep things running smoothly
- children as in need of direction, guidance, and correction
- children as in need of space to stretch out, explore, find their interests, and make decisions about life
- children and their growth as adorable and important
- children as in need of physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual care
- children as in need of encouragement
- children as in need of prayer--they need prayer coverage and they need us to be recalibrated by God for the journey, keeping us in a good position
- children as in need of whole-hearted parental involvement in family life
- children as in need of stimulation
- children as in need of training unto industry and respectfulness
- children as in need of a relaxed, safe, you-can-do-it atmosphere
- children as in patient parents (as in wait for the baby as she makes her way down the stairs)
- children as in need of physical exercise and interaction even from the time they are dandled upon the knee
- children as in need of protection from harmful influences
- children as in need of useful skills for a useful childhood and a useful life and mental satisfaction
- children as needing freedom to make their own way out into the wider world and interacting with others
- children as in need of protection from dangerous strangers--whether on the streets or on the television, internet, etc.
- children as in need of minimum "do this, don't do that"--not being pinned up, but being able to be free and grow up
Many of us Christian parents are at a loss today because we lack guidance--and even inner confidence. We have not grown up under that which we desire or, in some cases, our life experiences did not combine to make us those easy-going natural parents with natural affection and a "I love you dearly and you can do it!" attitude towards their children. Many of us try to learn to parent by precepts of men written in books. Years and years can go by and we are still trying to learn... While we cannot make our children saved (witness good king Hezekiah's son Manasseh), Christians can teach their children by scripture precept and by example. We can, in a relaxed manner, make a Christian home, a place where where God and his word are welcomed, magnified, preeminent, overriding, and abiding.
[7-29-2014]