We have a high calling as parents. We are charged with loving, caring for, protecting, teaching, discipling, disciplining, correcting, training, and modeling for our kids. These are not things that will just happen "naturally." To do this well means an intentional and purposeful approach to each child, each and every day. It is a serious task and not one I want to take lightly.
My heart is so burdened about this issue and I am amazed at what God continues to teach me each day. I am learning and growing and asking questions and reading and praying and thinking and trying and falling before the Lord begging for wisdom. He has been faithful and while we are far from perfect parents, I feel that we are on the right track. At least we know where we want to be.
I want to share some of these thoughts as I sort them out in my head and my heart, but for today, I just want to share a link to something I read yesterday. This is a perfect example of why we need to take this parenting thing seriously and to realize that parenting, and especially Christian parenting, is OUR job. It is OUR responsibility. It is OUR calling. It isn't the school, church, or community who has been charged with this task. It is us. It is mom and dad. School, church, and community -- when used appropriately -- can aide us as parents but it cannot and should not be used as a means of doing our job for us. My church will not be asked to give an account for how my children were raised. My school will not asked to give an account. My community will not be questioned by the Lord. It will be me. It will be Jason. And that just drives me to my knees begging for more wisdom and more love and more patience and more of HIM.
ETA: Here is the First Response to the letter, written by the man who received the letter. He states that this is Part 1 of 3 in his response. It was very well written. I look forward to reading Part 2 and 3.
Love your post. It is so true... and so good. Yet, it is a bit scary to have all that pressure on me (and my husband). I know we'll make a million mistakes and my hope is that Christ will help make up that difference and touch their hearts with exactly what they need. Thanks for posting links to the letters as well. I'll be interested in reading his other responses.
Posted by: heather | February 25, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Glad you posted this. As a parent, a youth worker, a preacher's kid, married to a preacher, have 3 kids, I totally agree and needed to be reminded of what we should teach and impress upon first our children and to help teach others too. It does sadden my heart the parents that will drop kids off at church. What a privilege they are missing in leading out in this growing process. No wonder so many young people don't know what to believe or why or even what the Bible says. Thank you so much. You are such faithful parents. I can't compliment you enough. God is your strength and provider of wisdom and all things necessary. Keep going.
Posted by: Rhadonda | March 01, 2011 at 03:02 AM