3 minute read
Encouragement For Parents
from May 2020
8 // May 2020
by Linda Tinney
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About The Author Linda Tinney is employed as a career transitions specialist at GNTC. She is wife to Neil and mom to Chason, a 5th grader She attends The Church at Rome. P arenting is not for the faint of heart. Parenting is hard, y’all! However, it is the single most rewarding job that is out there. Every day, we are faced with multiple decisions. I heard somewhere that a mom’s brain is like having 15 windows on your computer open. Did I sign the permission slip? Did I pack enough food in the lunch bag? Did I wash the sports jersey for the game?
When we were growing up, we never knew the things our parents worried about at any given time. They sure did a good job of hiding it—at least mine did! In the whole scheme of life, daily tasks are not life/death situations. The things I want our child to remember are some of the same things that I remember—going to church every Sunday, praying every night at bedtime, having “present” parents, spending time with extended family, vacations, and the list goes on and on.
Our world has certainly changed since I was a young girl, but the concepts are the same—love each other, contribute to society, and enjoy every day. However, I don’t live in a fantasy world, and I know things are not always 100% peachy; we try as parents to do the best we can with the help of God’s Word.
The Bible has lots to say about parenting. Try doing a Google search for “Bible verses about raising children.” You will see thousands of articles and links to many Christian sites. The bottom line in parenting is God wants us to love our children, teach them about Him, and eventually, lead them to our Creator.
In our household, we are firm believers in leading by example. Both my husband and I were raised in Christian homes, and we are doing the best we can to teach our son how to live as a Christian. Philippians 3:17 says, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Not only is this an example from child to parent but also child to friend, parent to child, parent to friend, and on and on. We can all use a little pushing to become a “better” Christian, a more “present” parent, etc.
Lastly, we as parents need to be willing to provide for our children—not only financially, but providing love, advice, discipline (as badly as we hate to!), and support. One of my favorite evangelists, Billy Graham, said this: “The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.”
So, when you have had a day where you wanted to give up, just remember there is always someone watching and depending on you. God gave you your child as a gift, and it’s up to you to provide the environment for the child to thrive in—and it’s okay to ask for help. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child.
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