Isaac's Dedication Day

As Christian parents, we have an incredible responsibility and privilege to raise our children in the Lord and according to Scripture. I remember doing a Bible study years and years ago where the study book said that life doesn't come with an manual. Myself, as well as the group, agreed that our Bible IS the manual for life and is God-breathed, full of inspirational leaders, history, prophesy, war, love, sacrifice, advice, letters, encouragement as well as the directions on to how to become saved through Jesus Christ and receive eternal life in heaven. There are many verses on parenting and I am so thankful that the Lord spoke through some amazing, God-fearing people to bring us His book.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

There are so many methodologies to parenting. So many "experts" claiming that they know the way to parent. So many experts that are non-believers and don't have an absolute standard to base their principles off of. Parenting Magazine is chocked full of articles that touch on spanking, time-outs, grounding, money-management with children, homosexual marriages/parenting, age-appropriate chores and the list goes on. Nothing that they print is based on my absolute standard (hence, why I chuck these magazines from the mail). The (although some will never believe, and it breaks my heart) absolute standard which is the Holy Bible.

Psalms 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

This book has defined Rob and I both as we parent our four, little darlings. We're in no way perfect and have so many things that we're working on as a family in our parenting and how we're bringing up our children. There have been some awesome friends and family that have come alongside us and have prayed for our children as well as loved on our children. Amazing friends and family who have helped pitch in when we've needed encouragement on a bad day and have rejoiced with us in the little things, (Hey! It's a big deal when a toddler learns to use the potty, right?) and the BIG things like when each of our three oldest have received Jesus into their lives.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

We've also been so grateful for (whether they know it or not) some wonderful online websites and Biblically-based parenting sites that have influenced our lives tremendously in our parenting style.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:17

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

I thank the Lord for His Word, for His advice, for His promises and for His answers to prayer for our children. I love the book of Proverbs and it's parental guidance.

Proverbs 1:8-9

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

I thank the Lord everyday for the strength He gives us to raise our kids. I love how He orchestrates our days, even the interruptions, perfectly according to what He wants for our day.

Psalm 144:12
Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace...

 

Psalms 139:13-16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Rob and I feel so blessed that God would entrust these little guys and girls in our lives and can only hope that by living out Deuteronomy 6:6-9 which says this...

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

...that we may produce little disciples that grow up love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. That those little disciples will grow up to become big disciples and contribute to Jesus' Great Commission which is...

Then 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

We mess up everyday, but the Lord gives us strength for each and every day that we ask Him to. He is so faithful!!!