Godly parenting wasn’t on my mind when I attended a commissioning service several years ago for missionary friends about to leave for Asia.
They were going to a country known to be hostile toward Christianity.
And I felt so small.
My friends were sacrificing so much for a task that was daunting. They’d already sold or given away most of their belongings.
They’d signed up for a position that brought neither fame nor fortune. Their assignment would likely involve loneliness, hard work, rejection, and possibly danger.
Yet, they were compelled and willing to go simply because they knew God had called them.
I remember thinking in comparison to them my life wouldn’t amount to much. I had never felt God calling me to be a missionary.
Now I understand how wrong I was.
GODLY PARENTING IS A MISSIONARY ASSIGNMENT
A missionary is a person sent on a mission.
If you’re a Christian parent, God has called you to the mission of building a strong Christian family.
That makes you a missionary.
And your mission field is your home.
We must not hide them from [our] children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed…so that a future generation – children yet to be born – might know
Godly parenting requires us to share the truth of God found in the scriptures. That means we must be the ones to read and delight in them. (If you need help getting started, here are some tips for you.)
All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock.
GODLY PARENTS GO WHERE NO ONE ELSE CAN GO
As Christian parents, the Lord has anointed us to go where no one else on the face of the earth has the ability or authority to go—the place in a child’s heart reserved for his or her own parent or guardian.
No one else in the world has permission to hold your eight-year-old boy when he fails yet another test and needs someone to convince him he’s not a failure. You’re the one who’ll remind him that God created him just the way he is, with a ton of common sense and a divine purpose that will take him at least as far as any textbook knowledge would 🙂
And no one else in your six-month-old’s world will patiently soothe her when her swollen gums keep her up at all hours of the night, demonstrating the tenderness of God as you hold her and soothe her cries.
When your sixteen-year-old thinks she’s got life all figured out and pushes against the rules you have in place, you’re the only one on the planet who’ll forgive her over and over for a mouth that’s gone sassy and eyes that nearly roll out of her head. Because you know how much God has forgiven you, and you want her to experience the freedom and joy of being loved unconditionally.
GODLY PARENTING REQUIRES SACRIFICES
The cost of godly parenting is high. In fact, sometimes the price is more than we feel we can pay.
Unlike a foreign missionary, we don’t have to sell our belongings. But we do have to work hard to push against the world’s idea that how much stuff our kids have is what matters most.
Fame and fortune don’t come with our job package. In fact, we won’t always be the most popular parent in town, because we’ll refuse to make decisions based on what everyone else thinks is best.
Loneliness can be an issue. Even around our own kids. Because godly parenting means we sometimes have to stand on our own, even when everyone else is throwing biblical truth to the wayside.
As a godly parent, rejection isn’t all that uncommon. Especially when your kids are teenagers. But by then they’ve learned to trust your heart. So, even if they reject the things their teenaged ears don’t want to hear, they probably won’t reject you.
Godly parenting feels dangerous. After all, you’re in dangerous territory, fighting a dangerous enemy. The devil wants your kid for himself.
But don’t fear.
Remember, you’ve been commissioned.
The One who sent you into the mission field has power over the enemy. You’re on His side, and He’s got you covered.
So, “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9, HCSB).
BEING A GODLY PARENT IS BOTH HARD AND WONDERFUL
By the time your children are grown, you’ll have sacrificed so much to make sure they know the Lord.
But it’s okay. We serve a Savior who sacrificed immeasurably more so we could be known by His Father.
Hang in there with all you’ve got.
Build a strong Christian family day by day as you live out the following with your children:
Christian parent, you’re a missionary. The Lord has commissioned you to “tell a future generation” about Him.
You have a divine calling to go where no one else in the world can go: straight to the heart of your child.
It’s a hard but thrilling ride. So, sign up, and hold on tight. The mission of godly parenting will likely be the greatest, most rewarding adventure of your life.
Love this reminder that building a strong Christian family takes strength and courage! Feeling the weight can make us think of ourselves as weak but this is excellent opportunity to be honest with God and welcome his strength. He upholds us with his right hand and gently leads those with young. This tells us He is very, very close to us whatever we face.
Rachel, you are so right! I love your comment. God has been so faithful to me. When I was weakest, He always proved He had all the strength I needed!
Cindy, this is such a meaningful post. As a young parent, it’s so good to be reminded and encouraged about how important building a strong Christian family is. Thanks for writing this!
Cecily, thank you! And you’re right. It’s the most important ministry God has ever given me!
Just the encouragement I needed this week. And last and the week before. It’s been a hard season. I’ll stay the course and stay strong. And I’ll add that God will faithfully fill in where I fail.
Margaret, knowing this encouraged you has made my day. You’re a great mom. I know some seasons are harder than others. But you’re so right. God will be your strength when you’re sure you can’t go on:)