There is so much depth to the role of being a parent. Lessons learned that you really can’t fully put into words. When I first became a mom, I had no idea what this new lifelong journey would entail.
Parenthood was not easy for me, but I was fully invested in being a good mom. My everyday life was filled with learning new parenting skills and trying to create a space where my children could thrive.
I was a stay-at-home mom, and now that my children are all grown, I look back on those years and think about how my definition of a good parent has changed. I believe that is what the parenting journey is all about. We are all just striving to learn how to do our best with what we know.
Being a Christian parent is a humbling experience filled with constantly approaching the throne of grace and asking God for mercy over everything we say and do. Raising kids is a form of self-sacrifice and will test your patience and good intentions.
National Parent’s Day Is A Great Time To Honor Your Father And Mother
The Bible emphasizes the importance of parenting and includes the commandment to honor your father and mother. This commandment promises that you will have a long life if you do.
I am grateful for my parents. My dad taught me about boundaries, and my mom taught me about the power of prayer. My parents continue to love me, my husband, and my kids. Their presence in our lives is one that we highly value and cherish.
However, I know I have not always had a heart of honor towards my parents. This was revealed to me just recently when I realized my own imperfections as a parent to my own children. My heart began to soften, and I felt conviction from The Holy Spirit to find the path to honor my parents.
Focus On The Family highlights:
The Oxford English Dictionary says honor means “to regard with great respect or high esteem.” It also describes honor as “something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege.” Both of these describe what it means to honor your parents.
The older I get, the more I realize no parent is perfect and our good intentions don’t always pan out. If you can honor your father and mother and love them for the sacrifices they have made in your life, then you have achieved a new level of humility. You have also achieved a new level of leadership and respect.
“It’s respect for your parents that is the basis for every other kind of respect and every other kind of authority.” – Timothy Keller
The hard truth is that it’s easy to blame your parents and the world around you for the problems in your life. The hard part is taking ownership of your actions and making the changes you need to make.
This is not to justify or enable abuse in any way. I’m just saying honoring your parents is about treating your parents the way you would want your children to treat you.
“Blaming your parents for their obvious mistakes does not just hinder your ability to honor them where honor is due. Blaming them allows you to avoid the question “What could I have done differently? What SHOULD I have done differently?” ― Gregory B Grindstead – The Hidden Promise, Honoring Your Parents
Spiritual Growth Comes Through Honoring Your Parents
Just like forgiveness, sometimes honor is more about having boundaries and identifying what you will allow in your life. Honoring your parents will help you grow spiritually and improve your relationships with those around you.
The words you speak and the thoughts you dwell on have power in your life, community, and the culture in your home. I will be the last person to say this is easy for me; I have to hold a lot of thoughts captive. But I know what I think and say about people matters.
Encouraging Bible Verses About Parenthood
As a mom to three adult children, I can honestly say being a parent is not for the faint of heart. This is a tough job, and the older my kids get, the more I surrender it all to God and lean on His promises. Christian parents have a gift in this parenting journey—God’s Word. God is very clear about the importance of parenthood.
Here are 10 encouraging Bible Verses about parents:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (WEB)
The Bible clearly states that it is the parents’ responsibility to be leaders and guide their children in the way they should live. As parents, it is important for us to tend to whatever is causing us to stumble in our own lives. We need to also tend to our own faith so we know how to share what we have learned with our children.
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4 (WEB)
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs on the planet. However, it is also a job that God understands fully. Even our perfect Heavenly Father had disobedient children. But He is a loving Father full of grace, mercy, and discipline. As a parent, remember that God has boundaries—this verse clearly instructs you to keep those boundaries with your children.
These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (WEB)
Growing up, I loved hearing about my mom’s relationship with God. We never went to church when I was little, but she shared her faith with me. Sharing your faith with your children doesn’t have to be complicated. Living out your faith and growing in your relationship with God will give you plenty of faith stories to share with your children.
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. – Psalm 127:3 (WEB)
Having children and being a parent is a reward and a gift from God. Yes, it is difficult, but the pain is worth enduring.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching: for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. – Proverbs 1:8-9 (WEB)
I was one of those teenagers who thought I knew more than my parents. While I did not listen to their instructions, I do remember what they did and how they lived their lives. As I have gotten older, I have learned to look at what they are doing and listen to what they have to say. I am grateful every day I get to live on this planet with my parents.
I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. – 3 John 1:4 (WEB)
As I grow in my faith, the idea of not walking in truth or living a life where I think I can do this all on my own becomes a moot point. If you want to see your children walking in the truth, parents must also learn how to walk and talk the truth.
Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. – Proverbs 29:17 (WEB)
This is another scripture about the importance of boundaries. Being a loving and patient parent does not mean you avoid addressing the things causing pain in your child’s life and your relationship with them.
If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” – Joshua 24:15 (WEB)
A Christian parent needs to have strong convictions and personal boundaries. You need to determine the culture of your home.
Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. – Psalm 103:13 (WEB)
A patient parent understands God’s discipline in their life. God is a compassionate Father who cares about your character, your choices, and how you live your life. God believes in your purpose and uniqueness in this world just as much as you believe in the purpose and uniqueness of your son or daughter.
It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? – Hebrews 12:7 (WEB)
The steadfast love of The Lord (and parents) is to understand the motive and the reason for discipline. No, God will not give us everything we want, but He will always be with us. As my children have gotten older, I have had to learn there is only so much I can do, life won’t be easy, and they will have trials in spite of me wishing I could shield them from everything that causes them pain. As parents, we can’t always say yes, nor can God. This is where our faith in His sovereignty begins to grow.
Honoring Your Parents And Celebrating Parent’s Day:
Honoring your parents and being a parent comes with its ups and downs. However, Parent’s Day is a beautiful opportunity to create something new. The new opportunity will hopefully give you a positive moment or memory to hold onto forever.
Here are 5 ways you can honor your mother and father on Parent’s Day, July 28, 2024:
- Spend Quality Time Together
- Write a Heartfelt Letter
- Cook a Special Meal
- Help With Chores Or Projects
- Record A Video Message
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.” – Exodus 20:12 (WEB)
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