Always New Lessons in Parenting

Second semester has arrived and our teens are back at school.

I’m learning, too.  Parenting seems to provide plenty of lessons.  Through my experience as a parent I’ve learned:

-to pray more (when kids are sick, when kids are learning to drive, on and on)

-to trust more (when circumstances are beyond my control, when kids go off on their own, etc.)

-to bite my tongue (ah… yes)

-to lean on my husband and work together as a team

-to ignore minor things

-to speak up on important things

-to be tough (when doctors have to tie your toddler to a papoose board to give stitches or when your kid argues with you ‘til they’re blue in the face…)

-to be loving (which when they were babies we never dreamed might take effort)

-to be strong

-to “walk the talk”

-to be forgiving

On and on.

What are some lessons you’ve learned on your journey as a parent?

I’ve learned a thing or two from parenting four teens and I know I have much more to learn. It’s a privilege to disciple and teach these young people whom God has entrusted to our care! And it’s a huge responsibility! But we aren’t alone in this–God is with us. He’s teaching us along the way. When I mess up and sin, He’s there, offering forgiveness. What a comfort to know we don’t have to do this without His help!

Thanks, God, for the gift of my child(ren) and the privilege of being a parent.  Teach me the lessons You want me to learn.  I pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.

“Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ “  (Matthew 28:18-20)