My role as mother is to raise my child in such a way that glorifies God and fulfills His purpose for my child's life.
My role as mother is not about my happiness, convenience, comfort, or pride.
My role as mother is to sacrifice my body, my time, my energy, and my emotions.
My role as mother means not acting out of my woundedness but rather act in such a way that it's all about my child and his relationship to God.
My role as mother is a God ordained calling. It is an honor, a gift, and a blessing. It will further mold me, sharpen me, and increase my trust in, and reliance on, the Lord.
I will never be the perfect mother. I will make mistakes. But, with the Lord as my strength and my foundation, I will always love, cherish, discipline, motivate, teach, and guide my child for his good and God's glory.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Beginning the Process
Today was a very busy day. My husband and I are getting ready to make the move out of the in-laws house and into a duplex that is owned by his parents. The duplex has been empty for a while and now that we're expecting little Grayson it's time to move out and make room for baby. The duplex is in need of some work but is coming along nicely. New floors got put in today and it's looking great. A friend of mine and I went over and began work on the kitchen. We cleaned out the cabinets and drawers and started lining them. I also wiped down the outside of the fridge and the stove. It's looking much better but there is still some work to be done. We didn't get all of the liner in and the cabinets in the laundry room, as well as the pantry, still need to be cleaned out. The kitchen sink is disgusting as well. I'm not sure what needs to be done there but I know I'm not dealing with it! That is a man's job if there ever was one! lol
There is also some work that needs to be done in the bathroom and the backyard needs a new fence but that is also a man's job. I'm mainly concerned about getting things cleaned and functional at this point. It will still be some time before we can start moving but at least the process is going; I am happy about that. I look forward to getting Grayson's room set up the most I think. I already have it envisioned and I can't wait to make it happen! I think it's going to look really cute. :)
After all of the work today I am feeling quite drained. It still amazes me how little work it takes to wear me out and how much more effort I have to put forth in order to get things done. I think the most exhausting thing I did was scrub the fridge and I was doing that while sitting down! Ha! It did feel good to be active though and I will probably sleep extra good tonight. Especially if I can get Kyle to give me a massage. . .which I can. . .and will. ;)
Goodnight, friends!
There is also some work that needs to be done in the bathroom and the backyard needs a new fence but that is also a man's job. I'm mainly concerned about getting things cleaned and functional at this point. It will still be some time before we can start moving but at least the process is going; I am happy about that. I look forward to getting Grayson's room set up the most I think. I already have it envisioned and I can't wait to make it happen! I think it's going to look really cute. :)
After all of the work today I am feeling quite drained. It still amazes me how little work it takes to wear me out and how much more effort I have to put forth in order to get things done. I think the most exhausting thing I did was scrub the fridge and I was doing that while sitting down! Ha! It did feel good to be active though and I will probably sleep extra good tonight. Especially if I can get Kyle to give me a massage. . .which I can. . .and will. ;)
Goodnight, friends!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Parenting for the Glory of God
I have been reading Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas and it has really got me thinking about my role as a parent. Over the duration of my study of student ministry I have been forming my view of what the parental role is and what the parent-child relationship should look like but this book is solidifying my view.
I remember shopping at Target with my best friend Grace a few months ago and as she and I looked through the racks of clothes, I overheard a mother screeching at her child to stop what she was doing and be quiet. I looked at my friend and whispered, "Don't ever let me talk to my child like that." Was the child being a bit unruly? Maybe. I am of the opinion that the child was just being a child and the mom had no need to yell at her the way she did. I'm sure the mom was irritated but the way she spoke to her child was sad to me. I'm sure there will be times when I lose my cool and speak harshly towards my child but I have already set a goal to train myself to speak firmly but calmly. I never want to abuse my authority as parent and force my kids to act as anything but kids. I want to teach my kids how to behave in public but at the same time, I want them to be kids. I can't expect them to behave as adults now. I don't want to be the kind of parent who makes their kids behave a certain way because it makes it easier on them or so they aren't embarrassed. Parenting isn't about me and my appearance, it's about my kids and their physical, mental, emotional, and most importantly, their spiritual growth.
My hope is to raise godly children but I can't do that without being a godly parent. And even then, God's will must be done above my own. I have no idea what God's will is for this little one I'm carrying; all I can do is honor Him by faithfully fulfilling the role He has called me to fulfill. My role as parent will ultimately be to guide this child toward Jesus and toward God's will for his or her life, whatever that may be. I can dream and have high hopes for my baby to grow up and be an amazing person but more than anything I want him or her to be used according to the purpose God has set for him/her. I have already been praying for my baby's salvation and that he or she will know Jesus, love Him, and be faithful to Him above everything else. That is my greatest hope. But no matter what happens, I must remain faithful to God and be a godly mother, not only for my child, but out of love and honor for God.
I know there will be days (probably more than I would like) when I will be a far from a godly mother. I know I'll get tired and angry. I know I'll yell and do and say things I'll regret. I know I won't be perfect. But I want to always remember that God has given me this child and it is a blessing, a gift, and an honor. I want to always remember that parenting isn't about making me feel good about myself but is just another way that I will be shaped into a more holy and godly person.
I am excited to be a mother and to begin this new journey in parenting with my husband. I cannot wait to teach my child the Word of God, to raise him/her in the Truth. It won't be easy but I do believe with all my heart that it is the greatest thing I could ever devote my life to. I am both honored and humbled that God has called me to motherhood. The thought is both exciting and scary but I am confident in the Lord and in His sovereignty. He will give me the strength, wisdom, patience, and love that I will need to be the mother He has called me to be. I already love this baby and I already want so many things for him/her, but most of all I want to honor God and bring glory to Him through my parenting. That is what it comes down to; not to happiness, not to health or prosperity, not to pride, but to honoring God and glorifying Him. And in doing so, both me and my child's purpose will be fulfilled.
"If our kids never hurt; if they never sin but are only 'sick'; if they never 'fail' but just get 'cheated' by an unfair coach, teacher, principal, and so on - they will never sense their need for a Savior. They will always take Adam's lame approach, blaming someone else for their own spiritual failing. And ultimately they may face God's wrath because of it.
Yes, it hurts us when our kids hurt, but it devastates our kids' eternal perspective far more when we hide their need for a Savior. Our hardest hurt may actually be their most important hurt. What a tragic loss if the hurt we spare ourselves is bought at the price of our children's salvation."
- Sacred Parenting
"Ultimately God's kingdom far outweighs in significance the personal comfort of my children. As much as I adore my children, as crazy as I feel about them, I betray them if I put their happiness and comfort over God's overall purpose in their lives and in our world."
- Sacred Parenting
"Sacred parenting calls me to accept the hardest hurt of all - for the sake of God's kingdom and for the sake of our children's own development. I need to allow my kids to face challenges, failure, rejection, and pain, and then teach them to use these seemingly negative events to fuel their sense of mission and to foster their dependence on God."
- Sacred Parenting
I remember shopping at Target with my best friend Grace a few months ago and as she and I looked through the racks of clothes, I overheard a mother screeching at her child to stop what she was doing and be quiet. I looked at my friend and whispered, "Don't ever let me talk to my child like that." Was the child being a bit unruly? Maybe. I am of the opinion that the child was just being a child and the mom had no need to yell at her the way she did. I'm sure the mom was irritated but the way she spoke to her child was sad to me. I'm sure there will be times when I lose my cool and speak harshly towards my child but I have already set a goal to train myself to speak firmly but calmly. I never want to abuse my authority as parent and force my kids to act as anything but kids. I want to teach my kids how to behave in public but at the same time, I want them to be kids. I can't expect them to behave as adults now. I don't want to be the kind of parent who makes their kids behave a certain way because it makes it easier on them or so they aren't embarrassed. Parenting isn't about me and my appearance, it's about my kids and their physical, mental, emotional, and most importantly, their spiritual growth.
My hope is to raise godly children but I can't do that without being a godly parent. And even then, God's will must be done above my own. I have no idea what God's will is for this little one I'm carrying; all I can do is honor Him by faithfully fulfilling the role He has called me to fulfill. My role as parent will ultimately be to guide this child toward Jesus and toward God's will for his or her life, whatever that may be. I can dream and have high hopes for my baby to grow up and be an amazing person but more than anything I want him or her to be used according to the purpose God has set for him/her. I have already been praying for my baby's salvation and that he or she will know Jesus, love Him, and be faithful to Him above everything else. That is my greatest hope. But no matter what happens, I must remain faithful to God and be a godly mother, not only for my child, but out of love and honor for God.
I know there will be days (probably more than I would like) when I will be a far from a godly mother. I know I'll get tired and angry. I know I'll yell and do and say things I'll regret. I know I won't be perfect. But I want to always remember that God has given me this child and it is a blessing, a gift, and an honor. I want to always remember that parenting isn't about making me feel good about myself but is just another way that I will be shaped into a more holy and godly person.
I am excited to be a mother and to begin this new journey in parenting with my husband. I cannot wait to teach my child the Word of God, to raise him/her in the Truth. It won't be easy but I do believe with all my heart that it is the greatest thing I could ever devote my life to. I am both honored and humbled that God has called me to motherhood. The thought is both exciting and scary but I am confident in the Lord and in His sovereignty. He will give me the strength, wisdom, patience, and love that I will need to be the mother He has called me to be. I already love this baby and I already want so many things for him/her, but most of all I want to honor God and bring glory to Him through my parenting. That is what it comes down to; not to happiness, not to health or prosperity, not to pride, but to honoring God and glorifying Him. And in doing so, both me and my child's purpose will be fulfilled.
"If our kids never hurt; if they never sin but are only 'sick'; if they never 'fail' but just get 'cheated' by an unfair coach, teacher, principal, and so on - they will never sense their need for a Savior. They will always take Adam's lame approach, blaming someone else for their own spiritual failing. And ultimately they may face God's wrath because of it.
Yes, it hurts us when our kids hurt, but it devastates our kids' eternal perspective far more when we hide their need for a Savior. Our hardest hurt may actually be their most important hurt. What a tragic loss if the hurt we spare ourselves is bought at the price of our children's salvation."
- Sacred Parenting
"Ultimately God's kingdom far outweighs in significance the personal comfort of my children. As much as I adore my children, as crazy as I feel about them, I betray them if I put their happiness and comfort over God's overall purpose in their lives and in our world."
- Sacred Parenting
"Sacred parenting calls me to accept the hardest hurt of all - for the sake of God's kingdom and for the sake of our children's own development. I need to allow my kids to face challenges, failure, rejection, and pain, and then teach them to use these seemingly negative events to fuel their sense of mission and to foster their dependence on God."
- Sacred Parenting
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