Prescriptions for Parenthood

     1.  Ultimately, a parent isn’t in control of their child (or   children) – God is in charge of the life path your progeny will take as they mature into adulthood.

2.  A parent’s job isn’t to raise a safe, comfortable child – Encouraging handling responsibility; being courageous during difficult times; and successfully encounter risk taking; eventually produces an adult that can deal with whatever life throws at them.

3.  Parenthood can be complicated – It’s important for parents to raise the children they have not the ones they envisioned.

4.  Parents can entrust their child to the Almighty – Our Heavenly Father can be trusted with our dreams and fears for our child. (Scared parents raise a scared child.) God knew ahead of time the culture (and time period) your child would grow in (and form their beliefs in). 

As the ultimate parent, the Almighty will not be consulting with you before He makes choices about the well-being your child (and His).

You must come to terms with that for the sake of your emotional sanity. Your child needs to be aware that you are all on a united front where your child’s future is concerned. This version of divine tough love applies to both fathers (and mothers).

Any mother would love to have the words of Proverbs 31:28 (ERV/GNT) to be her family reality. “Her children say good things about her [or show their appreciation].”

Whether our offspring make those actions ever happen (or not), it’s helpful to remember the promise of Romans 8:28 (VOICE) as it applies to our children.

“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” 

As the ultimate parent, the Almighty will not be consulting with you before He makes choices about the well-being of your child (and His).

You must come to terms with that for the sake of your emotional sanity. Your child needs to be aware that you are all on a united defense where your future is concerned.

*Adapted from the sermon of visiting speaker, Pastor Julie Pratt, May 8, 2016 (Mother’s Day), Eastside Community Church, Gahanna, OH

Shelbie and Julie Pratt (also a mom)