“It's astonishing how quickly cultural references change. Each new generation of parents grows up with a new slate of cultural understanding, television shows, and unique parental issues. The biblical principles remain the same, however, so this was a slight reworking, not a major overhaul.” ParentUnderstandingGrowing UpUniqueBiblicalParental Author:Gary L. Thomas
“Ideally, as parents we'd have unlimited energy, the ability to manage tricky emotions like fear and anger, vast stores of wisdom to answer complicated but important questions, love that never grows tired, patience that never ends... Every parent would like to have all of these, but God alone possesses them fully. Parenting reminded me of what I lacked more than it ever made me feel equipped. But there's a spiritual purpose in that!” ImportantSpiritualPurposeEnergyParentAbilityEmotionTiredComplicatedManageTricky Author:Gary L. Thomas
“Parenting changed for me when I finally realized it's not about being a perfect parent trying to raise perfect kids, but rather, family life is a collection of sinners slowly growing together toward Jesus Christ as we rub shoulders, yield to his grace, ask for forgiveness and offer forgiveness, and are shaped accordingly.” TryingKidsTogetherJesusParentChristPerfectGraceChangedJesus ChristSinnerFamily LifeAsking For Forgiveness Author:Gary L. Thomas
“A large part of parenting is about managing weariness and motivation. Much of the success of parenting is about avoiding the sins of "omission" as well as "commission." You can feed, clothe, and house your kids and not really parent them. When we raise kids for selfish reasons (to feel proud, to have people love us and appreciate us), if they disappoint us we'll pull back. But when we realize that God has called us to raise godly children and God is always worthy to be obeyed, we have a motivation that goes beyond our own pride and our own comfort.” PeopleChildrenReasonKidsMotivationHouseParentRealizingSinPrideProudComfortAppreciateWorthySelfishAvoidingGodlyDisappointWeariness Author:Gary L. Thomas
“Our children may, at times, make parenting very difficult. Sometimes, we might be tempted to say, "Fine, I'm done with you!" But God is never done with them and we're still called to be their parents.” ChildrenSometimesDoneParentDifficultOur Children Author:Gary L. Thomas
