Parenting Well: Purpose and Calling
PARENTING WELL: PURPOSE AND CALLING
BY LISA KEANE | MAMFC, LPC-S, REGISTERED PLAY THERAPIST SUPERVISOR, NCC APRIL 16TH, 2015 PARENTING
I was thumbing through Pinterest just the other day. I do love seeing great ideas, crafts to do, and those cute sayings or thoughtful quotes put to great fonts. Typically, I scan the pins on there to kill time or to have mindless moments, but this day, something would be different. This day, I would have a shift in thought. I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this posted as a goal: “Father, You know the areas where my children are weak. Shape them in ways that only reflect Your power working in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)” I pondered this quote for a while and finally settled on the idea that this is a good quote, but I wish it would have said, “Father, You know the areas where I am weak and my children are weak. Shape US in ways that only reflect Your power working through US.” As a mom, this is my prayer and desire because my child and I both have a lot of learning to do and a lot of growing to do.
PRAY
I think the first question I had to ask myself after this realization is “How do I purpose to grow as a parent?” The first thought that comes to mind is prayer. Prayer is foundational for me as a parent. If I am not seeking God through prayer and listening to his guiding voice, I am simply going to through the motions as a parent. I need prayer for the strength it gives me and the connection I receive with the Lord. I need prayer to help me right my heart before the Lord so that I can help my child right her heart. Second to that is spending time in God’s Word. There is no better parenting book out there than searching the pages of Scripture for encouragement and guidance. The Bible instructs me to be slow to anger and quick to listen to my child (James 1:19). God’s Word tells me about how a harsh word stirs up wrath, but a gentle word calms anger (Proverbs 15:1). When I am focused on what God has instructed me to do, I am much more likely to follow through with His instructions.
BE PURPOSEFUL
My other thoughts went to being purposeful. Being purposeful means that I plan out and intentionally set goals for what I want to accomplish. In my professional job, I often do this through learn or scouring resources. Why do I not do that with parenting? I should. So, to be purposeful, I need to see my job as a parent as important as my professional job. I need to fulfill my parenting continuing education credits too. Read books, talk to other parents, and attend seminars. All of these are at the top of my list.
EXAMINE MOTIVATIONS
Finally, I need to examine my motivations. Why do I want to better prepare for being a parent?” I believe Noel Piper said it best:
“Our homes are the universities where our children learn about the world and how to live. What kind of basic ‘courses’ are we offering them? As Christians, we want God to be our core curriculum. We want our children to be learning to know God and relate to him. God has given us his Word to help us and our children know him. And he has taught us to pray so that we can have a constant relationship with him.”
There is no greater reason to purpose to be the parent God has called you to be – your child is watching and listening! The home is the place they are learning the most invaluable lessons in their life and your relationship with them is setting the tone for their lives. Purpose today to prepare to parent well.
(Quote from Piper, Noel. (2003). Treasuring God in our Traditions. Wheaton: Crossway Books.)