As a parent, do you ever feel like you are being pulled in 10 different directions? When I think about all of things that parents are suppose to make sure they support and provide for their kids, the list is overwhelming. We are asked to be a part of the PTA, homework, fundraisers, and sports. We want to make sure they eat nutritious food, get outside and away from video games, and wear sunblock. We make sure they are being taught manners and social skills. We want them to be well rounded and able to keep up in this competitive world and all of this takes a lot of time and energy. Although all of these things that are listed have value and are important, they can also be a distraction. All of these things can distract us parents from focusing on another type of parenting – one that this world does not place much value on.
The other type of parenting I am referring to is spiritual parenting. Now, before you start to feel overwhelmed and think I am going to add a whole new list of things that should be done for your kids, I am not. Instead, I want to talk about it means to spiritually parent and a few ideas on how it can be incorporated into your family. You may think that it is all about teaching your kids how to lead moral lives, to learn the stories of the Bible, and to love Jesus. Yes, it is all of those things, but it is so much more than that. Spiritual parenting is placing what is most important to God in the path of your kids’ lives. He is the one that knows every detail of how your child is made and how their hearts can be transformed through the Holy Spirit.
The next question is then, is how do you do this? Well, I definitely don’t have all the answers and this article will not be a complete, exhaustive list, but I want to share a few ways that could help get you started.
One way is just simply by example. Kids watch and observe what you do, how you spend your time, and what you place as important. So, when you are reading your Bible, maybe you include them in what you are reading or share a quick thought about what you have been reading.
Another resource is the Home Front Weekly that are available each week in LIFEkids. It is a great devotional that can be done around the dinner table or before bedtime. It can open the door to talk about how they see God working in their life of how that Bible story can help them through something they are going through.
Praying together is also so important for you and your kids. Here is another place where a deeper relationship will begin to develop. Through prayer your kids will be able to see how God answers us and begin to hear Him in new ways.
Lastly (for this article anyway), if you haven’t had a conversation with your child about their relationship with Jesus, or you are not quite sure how to begin, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the We Believe presentation that is offered once a quarter. This is a time that you and your kids will be together and hear how God loves us and wants to be a part of our lives. When you leave this presentation you are given some resources so you can continue the conversation at home and begin a journey of spiritually parenting your kids as they grow.
This is something that you can start today, whether you have just became a Christian or if you have been a believer for a long time. I look forward to learning and growing with you as parent that guides kids spiritually as well.
