Thursday, March 7, 2019

Patterned Parenting - Dinner #95



As many of you know, we are expecting a “Rainbow Baby”, and are due this summer! We typically travel as a family to deputation meetings, but I stayed home with the girls for the conference this week, as we didn’t feel comfortable with my going all the way to Louisiana just now. It’s interesting seeing how one chooses to fill the long hours while Dear Husband is away . . . Simple dinners, school work, doctor and dental appointments, lots of 2nd trimester cleaning and organizing, dark chocolate . . .

Tonight I stayed up late watching one of those movies that requires a handful of tissues . . . Being a big fan of “Fireproof”, and “Facing the Giants”, and basically any movie produced by the Kendrick Brothers, I’d picked up a copy of their newest Christian film - “Like Arrows” – for myself to enjoy. What a powerful message it contains!  Like Arrows” is one of those movies that truly makes you stop and think . . . “What are we really doing as parents?  Where are our children headed?  What are we doing wrong? How can we improve?”

I have recently begun a study in my devotions that fits right along with this idea of patterning our parenting after God.  There are times when I stop myself and think, “I need to eliminate that type of sentence from my vocabulary.  God doesn’t parent US like that.”  God doesn’t use sarcasm.  He doesn’t use bribery.  He doesn’t change His mind on a whim.  Where do we get our parenting ideas from, anyway?!  As God’s children, we ought to be getting them from God Himself! 

I John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . . .”

So far, I have only scratched the surface of this personal study, as I begin working my way through the book of Genesis.  Tonight, before I head to bed, I just want to share some of these thoughts with you.

What does Scripture say about the parenting techniques of our Heavenly Father?

·         Genesis 3 – He used questions to make Adam and Eve think about and fully realize their sin.  He gave punishments specific to each individual who did wrong. 
·         Genesis 4:3-7 – He set up specific rules and guidelines.
·         Genesis 6:5,8 – He rewarded good and punished evil.
·         Genesis 6:14-7:3 – He was specific and detailed in His instructions to Noah; in His expectations.
·         Genesis 7:4 – He did not keep Noah completely in the dark, but let him know some information in advance.
·         Genesis 8:21,22/9:12-16 – He made and kept His promises.
·         Genesis 11:5-9 – He recognized potential evils and did not leave his people to their own devises.
·         Genesis 12:2-3 – He blessed/rewarded Abraham and those of his descendants who chose to obediently follow God. 

And these considerations are only from the first 12 chapters of the Bible!

“Train up a child in the way he should go . . .” (Prov. 22:6) Scripture tells us.  We have been given a sacred privilege.  God has given US the task of raising the next generation for Him. I pray that as you head into the weekend, the Lord might bless the precious sharpening of your “arrows” (Psalm 127:4).

Psalm 145 declares that our Heavenly Father “. . . is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Oh that we might seek to parent as our loving God parents us! 

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