Parenting Isn't for Whimps

I can tell you, I have heard people talk about successful parenting, who they think are great parents and who they think have raised their children successfully. I wonder what criteria we gauge success on for parents? Is it that they have made it through infancy and toddlerhood without much incident? They made it through adolescence alive? Do we gauge it on being productive members of society, never been to jail or prison by the time they are adults? Do we look at how much they make, whether they have a degree or if they went on to college after high school? Or...

Do we look at their character, do we look at their lives, their hearts, and see if they are kind, compassionate, loving, forgiving and show the love of God to others. Our children are perfect in our own eyes, no matter what they do, I have seen that from others myself, but what do others see in our children? Do they see all the values and convictions you tried to instill in them? Do they see their mistakes and strange decisions as your personal failures, or something to learn from...

I had no idea when my children were small that I would worry about them more as adults, than I did when they were small. I wonder if I did enough. Was my influence louder than the noise coming from outside our home. I wonder if I taught them enough to be strong, independent and yet caring and able to love another with all they are. Did I teach them enough about my God, who He is and what He should mean to them. Did I teach them about family, who their family is, and how to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes from it all.

I remember in Proverbs 22:6 that tells me to "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

That promise I stand on everyday as a mother of three adult children. I know I did teach them, and tried to lead them, God knows I tried to do the best for Him, and He is the only one that knows for sure if I did the best job at teaching them, training them in the way of the Lord. Did I show them love, compassion, patience, and the other fruit of the spirit. Was I a good enough example? I pray everyday that I still am. I am not perfect, God knows I try, but I can only strive to be the best self, I can be for Him, and for my kids.

Remember, God promises "His word will not return to Him void..." which means when we teach our Loving God to someone through His word and His promises, it goes in and stays with that person, we may not see the fruit of our seeds in our lifetime, but God will use it in their hearts and lives and He will see a harvest in His time. A promise I give to you, IN JESUS NAME, AMEN