After a classmate made a comment in class today that learning about more of these personality and developmental theories made them really want to have kids and I realized something. I'm the complete opposite! The more I learn about these developmental stages, the ways that raising your children can hinder or encourage them, the more I see others parent, the closer Rob and I get to considering the possibility of having children of our own the more absolutely terrified I become.
As in my heart starts racing and I think, "God, how on EARTH are we supposed to raise children that love you, respect and love others, and have a heart for the lost and broken?!" This especially begins to happen when I think about being under the watchful eye of family...:S
I read a blog recently that just seemed to stir that little anxious ball inside me. Marriage and kids is hard! I think that anyone who tries to tell you differently is either lying or they've figured out a marvelous secret. :) So, I started thinking about it.
How do you make time for your marriage when you're in the rush of raising young children and being wiped because your infant got no sleep, and consequently neither did you? Especially when during those moments I want to talk and Rob wants to close himself in a room and not talk. :) Then I realized that in those moments, having a servant heart becomes even more important. To remember that while your needs are valid needs, that the other person has needs as well, and to be able to serve that person in your weakness is such a great gift. And one that can't happen unless you're being filled by God.
I know I'm talking about parenting from the side of never raising a child, and I know that all this will never be totally smooth and easy and that there will be bumps. But there is a reason that we are called to serve one another, and that it won't always be easy, it's because Christ did it for ME, for us.
Parents are the greatest examples of living a servant life, it's about your child and what they need, and sometimes what they want. Parenthood is about giving your all to your children so that they grow up knowing they are loved and valuable and capable. Obviously no parent is perfect, but that really isn't such a terrible thing. It gives the child the OK to have moments of imperfection and not be ashamed that they maybe failed at something. Obviously in saying this I'm NOT saying encourage your child to fail and be imperfect and to do whatever they want. :)
In the end I guess the answer to parenting is not to be the best parent you can be but to rely on God to be the best parent He helps you to be. To remember that you won't know all the answers but that He holds great wisdom. To know that at times you feel like you don't have anymore love left inside you but that God has everlasting love to pour over us and our children. To remember that when you don't have the patience, forgiveness, strength or wisdom that we can find this in Christ. What a relieving thought!
I know it's been a while, and this is a random post to start off on again. But it was just one of those thoughts that I had, that I felt was worth sharing, and I was actually near a computer!
As in my heart starts racing and I think, "God, how on EARTH are we supposed to raise children that love you, respect and love others, and have a heart for the lost and broken?!" This especially begins to happen when I think about being under the watchful eye of family...:S
I read a blog recently that just seemed to stir that little anxious ball inside me. Marriage and kids is hard! I think that anyone who tries to tell you differently is either lying or they've figured out a marvelous secret. :) So, I started thinking about it.
How do you make time for your marriage when you're in the rush of raising young children and being wiped because your infant got no sleep, and consequently neither did you? Especially when during those moments I want to talk and Rob wants to close himself in a room and not talk. :) Then I realized that in those moments, having a servant heart becomes even more important. To remember that while your needs are valid needs, that the other person has needs as well, and to be able to serve that person in your weakness is such a great gift. And one that can't happen unless you're being filled by God.
I know I'm talking about parenting from the side of never raising a child, and I know that all this will never be totally smooth and easy and that there will be bumps. But there is a reason that we are called to serve one another, and that it won't always be easy, it's because Christ did it for ME, for us.
Parents are the greatest examples of living a servant life, it's about your child and what they need, and sometimes what they want. Parenthood is about giving your all to your children so that they grow up knowing they are loved and valuable and capable. Obviously no parent is perfect, but that really isn't such a terrible thing. It gives the child the OK to have moments of imperfection and not be ashamed that they maybe failed at something. Obviously in saying this I'm NOT saying encourage your child to fail and be imperfect and to do whatever they want. :)
In the end I guess the answer to parenting is not to be the best parent you can be but to rely on God to be the best parent He helps you to be. To remember that you won't know all the answers but that He holds great wisdom. To know that at times you feel like you don't have anymore love left inside you but that God has everlasting love to pour over us and our children. To remember that when you don't have the patience, forgiveness, strength or wisdom that we can find this in Christ. What a relieving thought!
I know it's been a while, and this is a random post to start off on again. But it was just one of those thoughts that I had, that I felt was worth sharing, and I was actually near a computer!
Amen...says a proud parent :)
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