Wednesday in the Word-Being a Parent

 Web Image

 Someone sent this to me about a year ago and as I was cleaning out some files I came across this. Worthy of sharing today.

Being a parent means...

To be brave enough to be the bad guy once in a while.

To aim at being a wise Mom or Dad and not to become their 'best friend'.

To have the wisdom to not always let them win at chess so they can taste failure.

To use the rod with wisdom and not in anger.

To be humble enough to admit when wrong and ask for forgiveness.

To not make all the choices but to help them make the right ones.

To make them independent even though that means letting go.

To love unconditionally as it is their birth right to be loved.

To show appreciation when they do little things so they feel valued.

To ask for their opinion and be willing to change yours if theirs makes more sense.

To pray for and with them every day, earnestly.

To be bold enough to give them a standing ovation even if the world remains seated.

To speak kindly yet firmly, without resentment, sarcasm or impatience.

To give them the confidence to laugh at themselves.

To sit quietly and listen although you have a million chores to do.

To make them grateful for God’s blessings so they won’t nurture a grumbling heart.

To give them the courage to stand for their principles yet to be wise enough to pick their battles.

To comfort them with an open door that will stay open irrespective of what they’ve done.

To measure their success not in academic marks but by how close they’ve reached God’s standard.

To make them ‘good and faithful servants’ to whom our Lord can say – well done

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. 

Happy Wednesday!

Hugs and blessings, Cindy