Are you able to look at a manual which has words and pictures, showing you how to be putting something together? Try being up at 3am and putting a bicycle together, so that your child will be surprised at the new gift Santa left under the tree. I love giving surprises to my kids, whether it is during Christmas or during the week. Sometimes, I wonder where the manual went on being a parent.
I’m attending Liberty University finishing my Master’s degree in counseling. I have done five years of pastoral counseling and I want to help others who are hurting and searching for truth. Ten years ago, I began looking and searching for the truth. I thought the truth could be found in books, or what the preacher had to say. No, Jesus said the only truth is through Him. Now, that I am a parent, I have learned there are no parenting instructions, but there are five things which God has taught me.
There are parenting instructions which were given by God and Jesus. His message was lived through His Son. My eyes have been opened and a philosophy of being a parent through the eyes of my creator has taught me these five things:
1. God loves when I interact with Him. I love my children deeply. I enjoy interacting in their school activities, programs, sports, going to church and no matter what it is they want to talk about, I am willing to listen. Jesus took time out to talk to the Father because He knew he would listen. I love to hear how my children’s day is going. When we go to the movies or watch a movie we talk about it. What did you learn? What if you were that person, how would you handle it? What did you like the most about that movie?
I wondered how God felt when He heard Jesus praying in the garden. The pain and the hurt Jesus was fixing to bear. The one thing which hurts me the most is when my children don’t want to talk when something is bothering them. I give them space and give them the free will choice to come and talk. I love talking and interacting with my children. Whether it is breakfast on weekends, or at the dinner table through the week, it thrills me when I can hear the creativity and thoughts which run through their minds.
2. God loves being in a relationship. The greatest events in my life are when my children were born. Holding my daughter in my arms. Holding my son in my arms. Relationships are important with God and what He has taught me is how to have a relationship with my children. I enjoyed doing a father and son campout. Being able to go one on one and learning the things he likes to do. We both are learning to shoot bows. He’s still a better shot than I am. My daughter enjoys shopping and eating out. I enjoy teaching her how men need to treat her. Opening the doors. Communicating. Learning about each other and sometimes it’s a challenge. My other two I enjoy being able to play games and interacting with them. Wow. Four kids. Yep. I love them all. Even though they still can beat me when we play Nintendo. My special blended family has taught me how God accepts everyone and the love He shares.
3. God never turns His back. One thing I have learned about being a parent is never turning my back on my children. Sure it hurts, when they do wrong, but they have to learn things on their own. My heart breaks when I explain to them the things we do not approve of. NEVER, will I stop loving them no matter how much they hurt me or don’t want to be around. They always come back. Why? Because love overlooks all kinds of wrong doings. They are my flesh and blood, but most of all they are my children.
4. God has taught me not to worry. Well, I must confess, I am still learning on that lesson. I know it is frustrating worrying about your children. I know I am a good father. I worry about if they will make good decisions and no matter what, I will be there for them. I have to let go and let God take over and not worry so much. I wonder if that’s another grey hair in my head.
5. Finally, LOVE. Love. I can’t say this enough. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite passages. Even John 3:16 is a favorite passage. Love covers wrong doings. Love doesn’t seek its own. Being a parent there are many sacrifices one has to make. I use to be a general manager of retail and restaurants but money was great but not for my family. I sacrificed money for my family. We live within our means. We spend time in playing games, reading together, doing things as a family and most of all eating at the table. Love learns to communicate in family discussions.
Therefore, for someone to say there are no parenting instructions, these are the five I have learned through the instructions of God’s love. God gave us His son, so that we can have a relationship with Him. I love my children and if need be, give my life up for them. I love you! Remember who you are.
Spend time with your kids, no matter what they feel, say, or do and NEVER turn your back on them. Receive them home and throw a party for we once were prodigal children. Thank you, Father for loving me, and sacrificing your son on the cross. There you have it, short and simple, five small instructions on parenting. I love my four children because my Father first loved me. Thanks for the great lessons!
I’m attending Liberty University finishing my Master’s degree in counseling. I have done five years of pastoral counseling and I want to help others who are hurting and searching for truth. Ten years ago, I began looking and searching for the truth. I thought the truth could be found in books, or what the preacher had to say. No, Jesus said the only truth is through Him. Now, that I am a parent, I have learned there are no parenting instructions, but there are five things which God has taught me.
There are parenting instructions which were given by God and Jesus. His message was lived through His Son. My eyes have been opened and a philosophy of being a parent through the eyes of my creator has taught me these five things:
1. God loves when I interact with Him. I love my children deeply. I enjoy interacting in their school activities, programs, sports, going to church and no matter what it is they want to talk about, I am willing to listen. Jesus took time out to talk to the Father because He knew he would listen. I love to hear how my children’s day is going. When we go to the movies or watch a movie we talk about it. What did you learn? What if you were that person, how would you handle it? What did you like the most about that movie?
I wondered how God felt when He heard Jesus praying in the garden. The pain and the hurt Jesus was fixing to bear. The one thing which hurts me the most is when my children don’t want to talk when something is bothering them. I give them space and give them the free will choice to come and talk. I love talking and interacting with my children. Whether it is breakfast on weekends, or at the dinner table through the week, it thrills me when I can hear the creativity and thoughts which run through their minds.
2. God loves being in a relationship. The greatest events in my life are when my children were born. Holding my daughter in my arms. Holding my son in my arms. Relationships are important with God and what He has taught me is how to have a relationship with my children. I enjoyed doing a father and son campout. Being able to go one on one and learning the things he likes to do. We both are learning to shoot bows. He’s still a better shot than I am. My daughter enjoys shopping and eating out. I enjoy teaching her how men need to treat her. Opening the doors. Communicating. Learning about each other and sometimes it’s a challenge. My other two I enjoy being able to play games and interacting with them. Wow. Four kids. Yep. I love them all. Even though they still can beat me when we play Nintendo. My special blended family has taught me how God accepts everyone and the love He shares.
3. God never turns His back. One thing I have learned about being a parent is never turning my back on my children. Sure it hurts, when they do wrong, but they have to learn things on their own. My heart breaks when I explain to them the things we do not approve of. NEVER, will I stop loving them no matter how much they hurt me or don’t want to be around. They always come back. Why? Because love overlooks all kinds of wrong doings. They are my flesh and blood, but most of all they are my children.
4. God has taught me not to worry. Well, I must confess, I am still learning on that lesson. I know it is frustrating worrying about your children. I know I am a good father. I worry about if they will make good decisions and no matter what, I will be there for them. I have to let go and let God take over and not worry so much. I wonder if that’s another grey hair in my head.
5. Finally, LOVE. Love. I can’t say this enough. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite passages. Even John 3:16 is a favorite passage. Love covers wrong doings. Love doesn’t seek its own. Being a parent there are many sacrifices one has to make. I use to be a general manager of retail and restaurants but money was great but not for my family. I sacrificed money for my family. We live within our means. We spend time in playing games, reading together, doing things as a family and most of all eating at the table. Love learns to communicate in family discussions.
Therefore, for someone to say there are no parenting instructions, these are the five I have learned through the instructions of God’s love. God gave us His son, so that we can have a relationship with Him. I love my children and if need be, give my life up for them. I love you! Remember who you are.
Spend time with your kids, no matter what they feel, say, or do and NEVER turn your back on them. Receive them home and throw a party for we once were prodigal children. Thank you, Father for loving me, and sacrificing your son on the cross. There you have it, short and simple, five small instructions on parenting. I love my four children because my Father first loved me. Thanks for the great lessons!
