More than toys and meals

Being a good parent is so much more that giving kids lots of toys and making sure they get to eat.  And yet, I am amazed at the number of people who take this task so lightly.  Fifty Christmas gifts under the tree?  Seriously?  Is THAT being a good parent? Is making sure they get dressed, eat breakfast, and get to school on time all that matters?  Is giving in to their whims so they "won't throw a fit" the best option we have?

Don't get me wrong -- I understand the temptation.  It would be so much easier if I didn't worry about all the "other" stuff.  It would be easier if I just did the minimum and hoped they turned out okay.  It would be easier to not pay attention to my kids and let them do whatever they want. It would be easier to not expect that they have manners, that they act respectfully, and that they learn to praise other people. It would be easier...but I wouldn't be doing my job.

This article was a great encouragement for me this morning.  I am not immune to "doing the minimum."  I give in to my selfish desires at times and don't do what I know to be best.  I choose not to bake cookies with my kids and instead let them watch a video.  I choose not to read a book to them and instead do what I want to do.  I don't always model the gratefulness and humbleness I try so hard to teach.  I need prodding too.  

The entire article was good (and is SO needed today!) but I wanted to especially highlight the last part...a list of things that Christian parents should be doing.  It's a good reminder as I start another new day with four precious little ones.

• Let there be much spontaneous celebration verbally of every hopeful sign of life and goodness in our children.
• Let us forgive them often and be longsuffering.
• Let us serve them and not use them.
• Let us lavish them with joyful participation in their interests.
• Let us model for them the joy of knowing and submitting to the Lord Jesus.
• Let us apologize often when we fall short of our own Father’s requirements.
• Let us pray for them without ceasing.
• Let us saturate them with the word of God from the moment they are in the womb (the uterus is not sound proof).
• Let us involve them in happy ministry experiences and show them it is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Let them see us sing to the King.
• Let us teach them relentlessly the meaning of the gospel in the hope that God will open their eyes and make them alive. It happens through the gospel (1 Peter 1:22-25).

Comments

[Shelby]

Thank you for sharing this! I'm going to print out the article and keep it near when I need encouraging!

Your children are beautiful! What blessings!

[jenny]

Wonderful post...thanks for sharing!

[Amy]

Thanks for sharing! I've been wanting to say, that I love ur blog! I check it daily for new posts!!! We are starting our homeschooling journey now, and it is always nice to know that there are others out there doing it!

[Amy in Peru]

I totally concur :) and I LOVE the picture of your kiddos.

Amy in Peru