May 14
Beloved of Good Shepherd Parish,
Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Parenting is on my mind because Mother’s Day was last Sunday and graduation Sunday is this coming Sunday. Now, I know next to nothing about parenting. I am a parent and like many parents I find myself mostly stumbling along and learning as I go. At Good Shepherd we have tons of kids and lots of parents. Here are five things that I’ve learned from watching Good Shepherd Parents, Grandparents, Godparents, and others who love, help care for, and raise our children.
Enjoy your children! Don’t forget that life is supposed to be fun. God gave us each other and all our children for enjoyment.
Surrender your children to God. They are his kids on loan to us, so everyday it’s a good practice to give your children to God, entrusting them to his care.
Let your children suffer consequences. They can’t learn to get back up from a fall if they are never allowed to fall down in the first place.
Remember that worry, while natural, is not terribly productive as a method for raising and caring for children. Jesus said “do not worry.” He may have had parents in mind.
Finally, something I learned from my own mother. Teach your children the stories of our faith. The Bible is full of marvelous stories in which we can find God. Learning the stories of our faith from the Bible equips our children to see God in their own stories.
Remember this always - God loves you, and I love you too!
Love is all,
Hendree+