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The older I get, the more amazed I am at what kind of parent God is towards me. He is initiating, generous, humble, providing, kind, patient, redeeming, constant, responsive, gives us everything for my sake—grace over all.
The more I ponder and worship Him, the better parent I have become.
Seems that when I write on child discipline, I always get the most interest and controversy at the same time. I would never want to offend anyone, but it is a huge issue and debate amongst believers. My desire is to offer, perhaps, some perspective and to encourage moms in this role. I never want to offend or hurt anyone's feelings, and yet, I have learned that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Our sweet children need our gentleness and patience even as we need God's.
But the questions keep coming: How do we do it? What is the method? What are the rules for every single situation, age, and how to match the discipline to the action? What to do? What to do?
And yet, I have realized over the years that the most important element to a Christian parent, in regards to discipline, is not the method, but the heart attitude towards God as a Father of us.
If one believes that God is works oriented, possibly harsh in correcting our sin, relentless in pursuing our keeping of the law, then one will be more likely to be harsh in discipline, and feel it is an obligation of parents to correct and point out every flaw of character and immaturity of a child-- that correct behavior is the goal, then often, this person, can tend to believe in harsh discipline methods, with a good heart, thinking they are saving their child's soul. This is the parent who embraces adversarial parenting.
However, I believe that the more a person truly understands the character of God and His mercy and love and patience and servant's heart as a parent toward his children, then one must adopt the role of an advocate towards their children as God is our advocate. Even as the Holy Spirit is our advocate and as Jesus lives daily to intervene and to pray for us, His children, so God is there to help us, to love us, to draw us, through His love and mercy, to His holiness.
Indeed, God is our advocate and models to us a parent's love that eventually ended for him in sacrificing His whole life for the sake of His children.
I hope you will enjoy the second podcast with Clay and me sharing our thoughts about what we have learned about parenting to reach the hearts of our own four, who love us and love the Lord—all by His grace. We are always putting in something in their lives—we invest through the seasons:
Investing in children’s lives in Christ:
Children: Instruct (Latin: in + build) in the early years we are teaching truth, correcting and directing behavior
Youth: Influence (Latin: in + flow) During these adolescent years we are walking beside them on the path of life, showing, giving examples, coaching, companioning
Adult: Involved (Latin: in + surround) For the adult years, we never abandon our children but we stay in their orbit—surrounding them with help, encouragement, love always.
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