Sacred Parenting: Chapter 1: Papa God

When Casey and I first began trying to have a baby, I remember getting waves of "cold feet," and I would ask Casey, "Why do we want to have a baby?" His reply, " because God said, 'Be fruitful and multiply...". I honestly thought him a little old fashioned for saying that, and instead of taking his words and His Words to heart, I put my confidence in the fact that lots of people have kids and seem happy with that arrangement while I waited for my feet to warm up again. Now, having a child and knowing what a joy and privilege it is to have her, I feel foolish for trusting so little in my husband's leadership and my God's command.

It's an important question: Why do we have children? I love how Thomas suggests that if we have the right answer to this question...because God commands it...we will better understand that our purpose is to raise them up to know, serve and love God. When we have children for any other reason, our parenting becomes a selfish endeavor and the romance of it quickly fades away. Thomas says this:

"When we realize that having children isn't about us but it is rather about God, then the trials and sacrifices of parenting are more easily borne."

and

"The ultimate issue is no longer how proud my children make me, but how faithful I've been to discharge the duties God has given me."

After Braelyn was born, I remember thinking, "So, this is what it feels like to die to myself." It sort of haunted me how unfamiliar the feeling was, but I was encouraged at the same time. I knew that in this hard, tiring, beautiful, sanctifying process of parenting, I would come to know God more. And it's true...I have come to know Him more, but the moment I lose sight of the WHY, His command and His Kingdom, (which I do lose sight of, often) I grow weary of not getting enough sleep, and tired of getting up from my dinner 10 times every night, and jealous of people whose date night doesn't mean spaghetti on TV trays and a Netflicks movie. I must, we must as Believers, keep our minds and hearts fixed on the WHY.

Here are a few more of my favorite quotes from this chapter:

"Once we realize that we are sinners, that the children God has given us are sinners, and that together, as a family, we are to grow toward God, then family life takes on an entirely new purpose and context. It becomes a sacred enterprise (I love that!) when we finally understand God can baptize dirty diapers, toddlers' tantrums, and teenagers' silence in order to transform us into people who more closely resemble Jesus Christ."

"Parenting will lead us to confront spiritual sins we never knew existed. It will point out inner weaknesses that we thought were strengths. It will reveal holes big enough to drive our minivans and SUVs through."

"A God-centered parent, acts out of reverence for God."