A Call to Higher Places

Few topics are as popular today—or as controversial—as Christian parenting.
Perhaps this is natural, given the importance of raising children in today’s post-Christian world.
I came across this book and I think I am going to buy it and read it as it is something I REALLY
want to strive for in raising children. I don't want to be caught up in raising our children just right
or have much control over them that I fear letting them go because I don't know how it will end up!!! How then do we trust God in that?
How does God treat us as children? And how is our approach to parenting affected if...

• the goal is children who are apprentices to Jesus?
• discipleship is understood as more than an intellectual affirmation or outward behavior, but a life lived in, for, and by the resources of the kingdom of God?
• we come to understand our teenager as a young adult rather than an overgrown child?
• we respect the self-determining nature of our child and acknowledge the priority of motivation—the direction and loves of his or her heart?
• we acknowledge that youth culture is spiritually toxic but inescapable by our teenage children?
• we understand that the choices our teens make outside our context or control actually influence them the most?
• we recognize that parenting is a temporary stewardship with no guarantees?
  

It argues instead that we walk by faith, that “parenting adolescents teaches us the requirement of love, of letting go of our children in order to entrust them to God."

We work, we pray, we look forward to big events and life-changing experiences, but then there is always that point where we just have to let go and let time and events take their course.
Probably the hardest challenge in letting go is when our goals, plans, and dreams involve other people. When our future is tied to someone else and s/he is unwilling or lacks the vision or courage to go where we want to go, what can we do? Do we halt our development and progression to wait on this other person to catch up? Do we run on and leave them behind? Or is there some other happy medium? We can't force someone else to see our vision, to follow our path. Arguing and pressuring only serve to drive them to dig in their heels, or worse, run in the opposite direction.
When we think of how God leads us in our lives, we find the answer. Firmness, not force is the key. God never gives in or wavers in his course, but he is long-suffering and ever-willing to take us back. We, as He, must be firm in our convictions, steadfast, focused and committed. Leading others up the path of truth requires love, patience, gentleness, diligence, meekness -- and yes, time.
How many times have we messed up and Jesus is still there waiting and willing -- standing at the door and knocking if we will but let him in? He never beats the door down. He never even picks the lock and sneaks in through manipulation. He doesn't shout, belittle or guilt-trip us from the other side of the door. He simply patiently stands there and knocks until the time arrives that we have the ears to hear the knocking and the willingness and courage to open the door.

I dunno, something I have been dwelling on for a long time now. And my husband and I talk about it ALOT!


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