For Your Glory
The definition of parent is a person who brings up and cares for another or one that begets or brings forth offspring. The definition of parenting is the raising of a child by its parents.
Being a parent is hard work! It is by far one of the most rewarding privileges but can be challenging at times. My family just stepped into the season of “terrific twos” and yes I’m speaking terrific rather than terrible (I don’t want to give that word any power). I’m watching what words I use and I’d rather speak positive words over negative. I’ve heard many legends and stories of how the 2’s will be but boy oh boy! Never has someone so small tested me in my life. The emotions and fall-outs have left me questioning how a child in one moment can have the time of his life filled with laughter and a minute later go on an emotional roller coaster that includes a full body meltdown.
This stage of parenting for me has been interesting yet challenging with the main question of what type of discipline and correction will my child be receptive to. This part of parenting has definitely worn my patience on several occasions. Until one day my son was having a terrific two moment and I was getting upset and on the brink of raising my voice when the Holy Spirit came over me and said “For His glory”. It’s like a light switch turned on in me. I calmed down and responded to my son in an even tone rather than with anger.
How we navigate parenting should be all for God’s glory.
1 Corinthians 10:31 states “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God.”
Believers serve the Lord through their personal lives and in their actions toward others. Glorifying God in everything means we honor Him in our thoughts and actions. God has granted us the blessing and privilege to create new beings in the earth to add and build to HIS kingdom, all for His glory. So, when I parent I try to remember that in all things I do surrounding parenting should all be for God’s glory. When you get upset, try for a second to stop and become quiet and say “For your glory”. Yes, I know that can be very difficult when you are in the heat of the moment but saying to yourself “for Your glory” will redirect the next action you plan to take when correcting or responding to your child.
Psalm 127:3 stated “Lo, Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
God has granted and trusted you enough to take care of His child. God has put you in a position as a parent and He trusts you to raise His child (children) in the way that they should go, so do it for God’s glory. We’ve been charged with the task to raise kingdom kids/children…and how should we perform these tasks? All for God’s glory!
Yes, I am fully aware that if you are having a challenging moment saying “for Your glory” will be easier said than done. I’m a work in progress on how I parent and making sure my actions and reactions align with God. However, I make an effort to remind myself of why I parent. When you say “for Your glory”, it’s a reminder that causes you to question “why am I doing this?” The big picture is for me to raise a whole/complete child or as author Tony Evans defines a kingdom man is a person that will one day “visibly demonstrate the comprehensive rule of God underneath the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of his life.” So, of course I want to make sure I speak to him, teach him, guard and guide him in a way that is all for God’s glory!
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6