Have you ever thought about what your role is as a parent? Kisser of boo-boos, entertainer, carpenter to broken toys, seamstress to lost buttons, an open ear, counselor, nose wiper, personal chauffeur, sports equipment manager, diaper changer.... The list that never seems to end, right? It's kind of exhausting looking at the list of roles mentioned. Sometimes as parents is seems like we are on auto drive as well.
On Mother's Day this year Jason and I stood before the church and accepted a very daunting challenge in parenthood. We pledged to raise our son (we've already dedicated our daughter) in Christ and to teach him to love Him. We pledged to show him grace as God has shown us grace. But before the challenge was given to us as the parents, it was given to our son's extended family and the church.
I firmly believe that one of the most important roles for a parent is one that needs to be met with dedication, commitment, and grace. It's a role that doesn't end when your child progresses to a different stage in life. As a matter of fact, this particular role is one that will adapt to the stage your child is in. It's a role that is life altering to not only you but to your child. This role will last formal of eternity.
It's not a role that can be summed in one word. This role looks like several different things either at different times or all at once. Some might classify this role as a teacher, mentor, counsel, or story teller. But in reality it is all of those things and many more. As a parent, I am to raise my son and daughter in a Christian environment and be intentional about cultivating their faith.
With the way the world is going I wonder if we, as Christians, are missing the mark at times. I can say that my attitude and behavior towards my daughter does not cultivate patience, grace, or love. I have lost my temper with my daughter, been impatient with my son, and definitely neglected to show grace many times.
I can honestly say that there are times that I've wanted to sleep in on Sunday because I've had a long night with little sleep. I've dreaded the summer VBS week because I know how exhausted I'll be...not even thinking about the foundation that would be laid for my daughter in her spiritual growth. There are times I've been so beaten down spiritually or frustrated that I didn't even want to go to worship.
However, there is always that one small quiet voice that reminds me of my charge and pledge as a parent. There are the car rides when my daughter ask to listen to her music (Sunday School CD) or she starts to sing a song that's playing on the radio. I think about the moment I asked my daughter this weekend what her favorite part of the weekend was and she'll say, "God". There are daily reminders of the importance of having my child in church every time the doors are opened because she is absorbing God's love.
There's the saying, "If you don't teach your children to love God, the world will teach them not to." How intentional are you being in your child's spiritual foundation? Can you step up and volunteer and be an example of love to other's in church? It truly does take a village to raise a child, and I for one am choosing the church as my village.
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
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