I am determined to find time in my busy mommy life to read some helpful books so here’s a few highlights from what I read today (They might seem kinda random so ready the book for yourself if you want to learn more):
From Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp – The Introduction ( I read this book in college but clearly I need a refresher!!)
Regarding parenting in the past . . .
“The church borrowed the old ‘you listen to me, kid, or I’ll cuff you’ method of raising children. It seemed to work. Children seemed to obey. They were externally submissive. This method fails us now because our culture no longer responds to authority as it did a generation ago. We lament the passing of this way of rearing children because we miss its simplicity. I fear, however, we have overlooked it’s UNBIBLICAL METHODS and GOALS.”
“The only safe guide is the Bible. . . . God’s ways have not proved inadequate; they are simply UNTRIED.”
“A biblical vision for the parenting task: It involves being a KIND AUTHORITY, shepherding your children to UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES IN GOD’S WORLD, and keeping the GOSPEL in clear view so your children can internalize the good news and someday live in mutuality with you as PEOPLE UNDER GOD.”
“You excercise authority as God’s agent. You may not direct your children for your OWN AGENDA or CONVENIENCE. (I am sooooo guilty of this!) You must direct your children on God’s behalf for their good.”
“God calls you by his Word and his example to be authorities who are TRULY KIND.”
“The purpose for your authority in the lives of your children ins not to hold them under your power but to empower them to be self-controlled people living freely under the authority of God.”
Like I mentioned, it’s so easy to forget WHY I want my kids to respect my authority and be obedient. Their disobedience is one of the most inconvenient aspects of my job as a parent. It never matches up to my agenda. So when they disobey, I get frustrated because it’s messing with MY plan for the day or the moment. And when it’s in public or around other people, it’s embarassing! My motives for wanting them to obey are so often completely selfish. As I read this part of the introduction, I was reminded that that motive is just as sinful as the sin of their disobedience. I will pray that God will correct my thinking. May I desire not my own convenience but that by being the authority to my children, they will learn to be “self-controlled people living freely under the authority of God.”
Alright, if you promised to read this book with me, at least get through the intro and hopefully chapter one this week. And please comment here about what you’re learning!!!
