The Privilege of Parenting
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 127:3-5 NIV
Children are a gift from God! I didn’t say parenting was easy, but God gives us kids as a gift to bring joy, life, and growth into our lives. And you, as the parent, are a gift to them to bring love, strength, protection, and growth into their lives.
Be careful of negative attitudes towards kids or parenting that can be acceptable in our culture, like treating children as a pain or as something we tolerate. And while there are plenty of trying, frustrating, and painful times in parenting, there are also times of great peace, joy, and fulfillment in raising your children. One of the main reasons why people see parenting as a bother has more to do with the lack of training the parent has than it does with the overall role of being the parent or guardian of a child.
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
Proverbs 29:17 NIV
Learning to lead, guide, and parent your child the way the Bible teaches us to do will most often result in your child growing up to bring joy to you and the world around them. Now, I note, “most often,” because even if you made no mistakes as a parent, which is impossible, God has given each of us the freedom to choose our path. Just like with Adam and Eve, God was the perfect parent but also gave them the freedom to choose. And then He stayed with them and helped them walk out the consequences of their choices.
We want to equip ourselves to be the most effective parents according to God’s Word, but we’ll also need to learn to trust God and the lessons that we’ve taught them as we release them in their young adult years.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
In my book Seven Biblical Principles on Parenting, I take you on a journey of discovering what the Bible says about how to parent and raise children. Since God is the creator of life and hand-formed each of our kids in the womb with care, intention, and purpose, then it makes sense to start by going to Him and His Word on the fundamentals of healthy parenting. I review key Bible essentials to support new parents as well as encourage parents or grandparents at every stage of raising children. Most often, the principles of shaping our incredible gifts from God remain the same through their development. They may look a little different or need to be applied differently, but they are guiding principles to raise and release healthy and thriving children into the world!
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:4-5 NIV
Psalm 127 says that kids are like arrows in the hands of a warrior! That’s incredible! That means that God intends for us and our children to make an impact on the earth. As parents, we’re not just keeping little humans alive, we’re shaping arrows. It’s a sad day if a warrior is facing an enemy only to find his arrows have not been prepared well to fly.
As you’re raising your children, think about the future impact and kingdom advancement. Often, the greatest frustrations in parenting can come when we forget the big picture of what we’re preparing them for. There will be weary and tiring days as you’re shaping those little arrows, but don’t grow weary because all of your attention and preparation will be rewarded.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
