Let's Un-complicate Parenting
Do I have your attention yet? If I were given a dollar for every parenting book I ever read, it would add significantly to my bank account; however, there are only a few that I would recommend. They are the ones which encourage you to get to know the AUTHOR of all things, the One Who created us in our mother’s womb, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot is such a book.You probably find this odd since I am a proponent of parental book studies. I still am, but I am very selective of the books I recommend – a shout out to the tried and true faith-based authors who point you to God’s Word and Jesus. God says He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us (John 14:26). When was the last time you carved out a few quiet moments at the beginning of your day, with God's word in your lap, ASKING the Lord to show you how to handle this or that situation with your child? God delights in answering our prayers for guidance on behalf of our children! We have not because we ask not…!Elisabeth Elliot, a dear saint of stalwart faith and the once-widow of well-known missionary, Jim Elliot, who was killed in the Amazon jungle by the Waodani Indians, is someone whom I have grown to love and admire. She is the author of our Wednesday morning book study, The Shaping of a Christian Family. If you have not read it, I want to encourage you to put it on your list. This is one for the ages, a truly biblical approach for a Christ-centered home. If you are reading this, that comment regarding the Christ-centered home speaks to the desire of your heart, no doubt. Your children are blessed!For years, Elisabeth’s father, Philip Howard, Jr., wrote editorials for The Sunday School Times. These “ed notes” usually sprang from his home-life experiences with six children of which Elisabeth was one. Mr. Howard writes:The trouble with so many parents is that they do not begin early enough to insist on obedience, telling the truth, and showing respect for parents; and unfortunately, many parents do not behave in the home in ways that inspire respect. Love, kindness, cheerfulness, and good times should abound in every Christian home, but these are stifled where there is disobedience, disrespect, and where the children’s will dominates. Parents are God’s representatives in the home and like Him, they should keep the right balance between Law and grace.One of Elisabeth Elliot’s favorite educators was Janet Erskine Stuart. Miss Stuart writes:It Do I have your attention yet? If I were given a dollar for every parenting book I ever read, it would add significantly to my bank account; however, there are only a few that I would recommend. They are the ones which encourage you to get to know the AUTHOR of all things, the One Who created us in our mother’s womb, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot is such a book.You probably find this odd since I am a proponent of parental book studies. I still am, but I am very selective of the books I recommend – a shout out to the tried and true faith-based authors who point you to God’s Word and Jesus. God says He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us (John 14:26). When was the last time you carved out a few quiet moments at the beginning of your day, with God's word in your lap, ASKING the Lord to show you how to handle this or that situation with your child? God delights in answering our prayers for guidance on behalf of our children! We have not because we ask not…!Elisabeth Elliot, a dear saint of stalwart faith and the once-widow of well-known missionary, Jim Elliot, who was killed in the Amazon jungle by the Waodani Indians, is someone whom I have grown to love and admire. She is the author of our Wednesday morning book study, The Shaping of a Christian Family. If you have not read it, I want to encourage you to put it on your list. This is one for the ages, a truly biblical approach for a Christ-centered home. If you are reading this, that comment regarding the Christ-centered home speaks to the desire of your heart, no doubt. Your children are blessed!For years, Elisabeth’s father, Philip Howard, Jr., wrote editorials for The Sunday School Times. These “ed notes” usually sprang from his home-life experiences with six children of which Elisabeth was one. Mr. Howard writes:The trouble with so many parents is that they do not begin early enough to insist on obedience, telling the truth, and showing respect for parents; and unfortunately, many parents do not behave in the home in ways that inspire respect. Love, kindness, cheerfulness, and good times should abound in every Christian home, but these are stifled where there is disobedience, disrespect, and where the children’s will dominates. Parents are God’s representatives in the home and like Him, they should keep the right balance between Law and grace.One of Elisabeth Elliot’s favorite educators was Janet Erskine Stuart. Miss Stuart writes:It must be recognized from the beginning that the work is slow. If it is forced on too fast either a breaking point comes and the child, too much pushed into perfection, turns in reaction and becomes self-willed and rebellious. On the other hand, if those who have to bring up children, fear too much to cross their inclinations, and so seek always the line of least resistance, smoothing over every rough place of the road, [currently known as snowplowing], the result is a weak will, a mind without power of concentration, and in later life very little resourcefulness in bearing under difficulties.Treat yourself and reread those last two paragraphs. Much wisdom is packed into a few sentences!While the choice of your church home, school enrollment, outside activities, and media exposure are important, more than anything else will be the influence and training you, dear parent, have on your children. Parenting is a holy calling; I believe there is none greater, nor one more sanctifying. As Elisabeth Elliot writes, “Lord give to me a quiet heart that does not seek to understand, but confidently steps forward in the darkness guided by the Savior’s hand.” be recognized from the beginning that the work is slow. If it is forced on too fast either a breaking point comes and the child, too much pushed into perfection, turns in reaction and becomes self-willed and rebellious. On the other hand, if those who have to bring up children, fear too much to cross their inclinations, and so seek always the line of least resistance, smoothing over every rough place of the road, [currently known as snowplowing], the result is a weak will, a mind without power of concentration, and in later life very little resourcefulness in bearing under difficulties.Treat yourself and reread those last two paragraphs. Much wisdom is packed into a few sentences!While the choice of your church home, school enrollment, outside activities, and media exposure are important, more than anything else will be the influence and training you, dear parent, have on your children. Parenting is a holy calling; I believe there is none greater, nor one more sanctifying. As Elisabeth Elliot writes, “Lord give to me a quiet heart that does not seek to understand, but confidently steps forward in the darkness guided by the Savior’s hand.”