Parenting 101

Readings: Job 5:17-26; Ephesians 3:13-21; Luke 7:11-16

All of us have been involved some way in parenting--we either are parents or we've been parented. It's a topic we can all weigh in on since we're a been there, done that group.

I think we can all agree that parenting styles have changed over the decades--dads, in particular, have gone from parenting after work and on weekends to making themselves available most all the time. With moms becoming more a part of the workforce, the dads of today have stepped up in sharing more of the responsibilities of rearing the kids. When the dads of today take on this role, they certainly have the perfect role model--God...the ultimate parent. "Happy is the person who God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you" (Job 5:17). Talk about Parenting 101...could we ask for a better teacher?

The finest things any parent anywhere can give to a child are the gifts of ultimate love and faith. This trumps the latest and greatest toys, gadgets, or vacations. These gifts from God never wear out--they only get better. A beautiful couple of verses in Ephesians seems a wonderful way to share this gift with a child, no matter what age: "I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you will have roots and foundations in love so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know love--although it can never be fully known--and so be completely filled with the very nature of God" (3:17-18). 

Do we ever get parenting completely right? Probably not. But we do have a guide full of lessons in the Bible. All throughout the New Testament as Jesus was on his mission while on Earth, he dealt with parent after parent. We know his compassion was always with them and he gave them hope. Christ blessed children wherever he went. He blessed the parents as well. In several instances in his journey he would encounter a parent who was grieving over the loss of a child. In some cases, he would miraculously bring that child back to life. In other cases, he would mourn with the parents. "When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her" (Luke 7:13). We read in several instances that Christ gave very sound advice to the parents of that time--that advice still holds just as strongly today. 

So, when parents of children of all ages get a little weary of knowing the right thing to do for their children, we all need to remember to shove those parenting books aside and look to the ultimate Parenting 101 guide...all the advice we need is right there--and the support team is beyond compare!

Peace be with you.