The Mirror of Parenting
There is nothing quite as humbling as watching your kids struggle with the same things you struggle with. Have you ever caught yourself yelling at your kids saying something like, “would you just calm down, you are being ridiculous.” Parenting for Angie and I has been a sanctifying work to say the least. I’ve been thinking about some quotes from parents I have heard through the years and how they have played out in their children’s lives. Maybe you have caught yourself saying or living out similar beliefs.
“I have done all these things with my kids. I have taken the trips, made the memories…”
I pray that our parenting would not be about checking the good parenting boxes, but about loving our kids sacrificially and really wanting to know them.
“I haven’t thought about sharing my struggles with my kids”
I pray the Lord would allow us as parents to confess when we are wrong, ask forgiveness, and not feel like we are giving up our authority.
“I know I should make more time for my kids, but I’m not giving up this job that provides for this life”
I pray we will do whatever it takes to love our kids like Christ loves them. Lord help us to spend quantity time and quality time with our kids.
These quotes and many like them have led to children who are angry, disconnected, and looking for love. They grow up to be young men and women who are self absorbed, who are not authentic with others, and who don’t do what is right because it’s just too big of a sacrifice.
Our kids are going to reflect the things that we are passionate about. I am praying that our reflection will clearly be a picture of parents who love Christ and pass on that love to our children.
-by Braun Brown