Families

Abraham and Lot were family. Like many families, a quarrel arose between them. From the quarrel came two distinct outcomes. After both looked ahead to their future, Lot chose for himself while Abraham chose after hearing from God. They were from the same family, but had different levels of faithfulness. We parents can model our faith in God by showing our kids how we ask God first before moving ahead with a decision. We want our kids to have faith in God, because then the best outcome surfaces—the ability for our kids to live out God’s greatness with
confidence!

Let God work. Jethro advised Moses to release some control and to let God work. When he did, God provided a new way for things to be done. In the Exodus, the Israelites frequently learned to release their fears, which increased their need to depend on God. Releasing our kids daily to God is a very hard parenting approach to practice! Our fears increase. We want to control, believing we know best. Instead, we can remember to put God in this dominant role in our kids’ lives, and the job of our parenting is to point back to Him.

Sometimes it takes everything a parent has to keep above water. Having “just enough” to make parenting decisions can quickly turn into “gasping for air” as life’s obstacles become a flood pulling you down. Parents, what are you holding onto so you won’t drown? Sending men ahead, God’s people crossed through floods. These men held onto the Ark representing God’s presence AND they stood firm. Raising a world-changing, truth-telling, God-honoring child today takes more than staying above water.  Hold onto God. Stand firm. He will do what He says He will do.

How should we face parenting battles? Philistine and Israelite armies avoided the high cost of battle by pitting its strongest warriors against each other. In parenting battles, do you fight by powering up? King David shows us the best, most effective way to fight any battle. First, pause and ask God if this is a battle to fight or not. If it is, choose words and actions aligned with God’s heart, mercy and forgiveness, ending the battle by giving God the glory instead of taking glory ourselves. Great parenting plan!