Archive for March, 2010
What is spiritual parenting, Dr. Anthony?
I’ve discovered this woman who so articulately describes what I want to know for my family, live for my family, and share with the parents around me! So rather than fumble with words, I must share this passage today from a new book coming out called, Spiritual Parenting. I do believe it will be TRANSFORMATIONAL for parents!
In this book we will explore what it means to seek God as our primary audience- to please Him alone with our parenting and seek Him alone for the strength and power to do so. Spiritual parenting is not perfect parenting- it’s parenting from a spiritual perspective. It’s a way of parenting that declares, “I want to parent the child or children that God gave me in such a way that I first honor God and second create the best environment to put my children in the path of the Divine.”
What does it mean to put my child in the path of the Divine? Only God is divine. His divinity is the essence of His holiness, which ultimately transforms each of us. Through Jesus and His work on the cross, God transfers His holiness to me. Wow! What an incredible thought! This transaction takes place by God’s grace and through my faith, of course, but how it actually happens is a mystery.
As spiritual parents, we enlist ourselves as students of our children…to learn about them specifically as the children that God has entrusted to us. Not only do I need to learn how to rely on God (since His Word makes it clear that He alone is the one that changes hearts), but I also need to learn how my children are fearfully and wonderfully made in order to best guide them on the path that God has designed specifically for each one. It’s not about adopting a “parenting style” that works for all my children, because I will need to adapt my parenting to the uniqueness of each child (while still retaining my authority and values).
I can’t wait to learn more!!!! Parents please join me!
more thoughts about control issues…
Just about every time I stop to reflect on my life I find myself struggling with control issues. When I am tired, I want more control of how many hours I get to sleep at night (unfortunately not a choice at this season in my life). When my kids are “having a hard time” as we like to say, I want more control over their behavior. When I can’t imagine how our family is going to get through the next month, or just the next week, I want more control of my finances, my time, my day. This song has been playing around our house for the last month, and only recently have I stopped to listen to the words, and each time I do I have to gulp back the tears. The message is clear to me. I am not my own. I belong to God. He is my creator, He is my God, He is in control of my life and the lives of my loved ones who choose to follow Him. I have accepted that and embraced that all my life, but I think I’ve tried to put a clause next to my name in God’s book of life. It probably reads: “I’m all yours God, but sometimes I would like the privilege of forgetting whose really in charge so I can attempt to take control of my life, but when my attempts fail would you please come back and pick up the pieces of the mess I’ve made?” Good thing God has a sense of humor.
So yes, I have established that I have control issues. While I don’t want to accept an excuse, as I get a little older each year, I see a bit more of the foolishness of my thinking. You see I have been raised to be an independent, capable, confident woman. My parents instilled it in me, my teachers and mentors confirmed that in me, and even my friends would mostly agree. But many times I take that to mean submission is not that big of a deal. It get’s easier to understand submission to my parents- in the form of loving and honoring them; it get’s easier to understand submission to my husband- as we embrace a powerful partnership for life; I understand submission to those in authority over me (boss, law, etc.); so why is recognizing God as the ultimate authority in my life so hard to remember day in and day out. This is where A Mighty Fortress comes in. I am reminded of God’s LORDSHIP (which for some reason does not come up in regular conversation for me these days). I am reminded that He is KING and I am his subject. But not a nameless faceless subject, a beloved daughter. Are we afraid to embrace these images of God, as if it’s just an old-fashioned political cultural thing? I don’t think God runs a democracy (though sometimes I wish He did- if only he’d let us decide what was just!)
I reflect on the words of this song, and I am relieved. Relieved that the answer to my complex control issues starts with ONE simple task- keep my eyes on Him. So that is the baby step I will take today. And these tear-filled eyes will do there best to stay open (since I’ve been up since 4:30am with a lovely toddler).
Our God is, a consuming fire,
A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom
Our God is, the only righteous judge,
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdomWe will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on YouA mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your Name
Your Kingdom is unshakable
With You forever we will reignOur God is, jealous for His own
None could comprehend, His love and His mercy
Our God is exalted on His throne
High above the heavens
Forever He’s worthy…We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on YouWe will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
So we can set our hearts on You
Lord we will set our hearts on You!
