We are bombarded daily with advertisements promising an “improved or updated product.” Our constant technology updates ensure us that we are getting more efficient performance with less problems. These opportunities come to us because mankind is a perpetual student always learning of a better way. Parents also can learn and improve upon our parenting.
“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23
Have you ever considered that maybe God gave us children to “raise us”? We must have our hearts and minds open to allowing God to shape our parenting efforts. We are a work in progress, no different than our children. It is important to acknowledge that we do not always get it right, but there is always an opportunity to change. Matthew 18:4: “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
We must never dig our heels in or throw our hands up. The truth is we may be doing parenting all wrong. It requires humility to look at ourselves to help our children. Luke 14:11: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” In our life journey we are all perpetual students learning about life and it’s realistic and unrealistic expectations. We are in a better position every day to prepare our children for what lies ahead. It is God’s intention to make us “better” parents today than we were yesterday. It is the outcome or finished product that is most important.
Let us raise children that are an “improved version” of ourselves. That can be our gift to mankind. Parenting is not parenting when it comes draped in some level of competition with our children. Parenting is likened to a coaching position. Coaches usually know something about the game they are teaching others. They know the rules and what attitudes and efforts are effective and productive. They also continue to learn their game and strive to get the most out of their team for the benefit of all.
Parents in the same way have learned some life skills. Our longevity puts us in a position to teach our children in a way that they make more informed and better choices than we did. As life goes on, we continue to learn, and they continue to benefit from what we learn. I have often talked with young people who were burdened over a dysfunctional home. The promise I could give to them is that they can change their family tree. Generational challenges in raising healthy productive children do not have to be passed down, but rather they can always be improved upon for a better outcome, or a better version.
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”
I Corinthians 9:24-26:
Parent with purpose; the result a better version of ourselves.
