Parenting isn't for chumps

Until recently, I thought parenting was about raising your children to be happy, productive citizens and that we were just supposed to enjoy the time in between. Boy, was I wrong. Sure, I want them to be happy and be productive, but that's not número uno.  My kids are such a joy, even though some days are tough. They make me smile all the time. It really has put God's love for us into perspective for me, and made me realize all the more how I can't imagine how much He truly loves us. I know that I love my children, I'd give my life for them a million times over. And to know that God loves them even more than I do makes me say, "Whewwww." 

So what is the main responsibility? It's simple, it's to model the love that God has for us and to lead our children to Christ. Sounds simple, but it is not. Why? Because it requires a lot of soul searching and changing. It has required a lot of patience for me....patience that I don't necessarily have. I am trying to stop being a yeller. Right now, I'm trying to not yell at Jeremiah for nearly kicking Layla. I've come to see yelling as an adult temper tantrum....the same kind of tantrums that I try to get J to stop. I have to model better behavior. I've heard it said hundreds of times that parents are the first example of God that our children will ever know. Parenting isn't easy. It's hard. It can be exhausting. But it's also rewarding.

I want my children to grow up to be capable, educated, understanding, compassionate....but most importantly, I want them to be God-fearing. Because when life is done and we stand before God, I will be responsible for whether or not I raised my children the way that God commands. I have to do better. I'm not saying that I'm a bad parent, I'm a pretty good mom. I'm just saying that I'm not being the best mom that I can be. I have to totally lean on Christ to get me to that point, because His strength will be required.

We have to stop trying to be be the cool mom/dad, and focus on bend the Christ-like mom/dad.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." Ephesians 6:4