Love Well…Parent Well
Parenting is not for the weak and wimpy. Get a load of this pep talk from Jaw-Knee-Poke…you’ll have your playbook in hand and a game plan for your family in no time! Especially with help from the “Coach Within”!
“15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
This responsibility called “parenting” can at times seem overwhelming and intimidating creating thoughts like: “I don’t feel adequate,” “I’m not prepared,” and “I don’t want to mess up.” You’re not alone as “the only parent on the planet disciplining my child.” There are other families putting in the sweat equity, rolling up their sleeves and doing the hard work requiring consistency, openness, transparency and a whole lot of laughs.
Just as teams have a playbook identifying their code of conduct, training rules, and plays, your family needs a playbook. You already have a great start with your family Bible. It might need dusting off or even a search and rescue dog to find it, but in it you have the winning game plan for your family.
- A good family playbook identifies the family objectives and fortifies family goals. Your playbook should include an offense (how to advance) and defense (how to protect). You, as parents, are the Coach but know that you are not alone, there is the “Coach within. “ That’s right! …the Holy Spirit, the actual third head of the Triune God. Whoa, now that’s impressive – even a game changer. He is your always-present counselor, power source, and support as your own personal “Coach within.” Incredible.
- Training is more than exercising. Training is intentional. It is sacrificial. Training also has a precise picture of success and what success demands. Training insists on consistency, rejects passivity and requires your best effort each and every time. Parents how would your child describe your parenting … occasional exercising or absolute missional training?
- There is not room for, “I’m too tired”, as a parent. Time is ticking and we have very little of it when it comes to how long our child remains a child. Be fair and reasonable. Make adjustments and spend more time encouraging than harping. No shaming. Follow through on stated consequences, and do not lower the family standard to appease everyone. Keep on extending grace (John 1:16) and seasoning with grace (Colossians 4:6), but reinforce character-that-counts adding up to becoming a MAC /WOG.
Parents, don’t forget your advantage – you’ve got the Coach Within. Keep the lines open with the family and don’t hesitate to ask for help from Camp, friends and mentors.
Camper Corner
Looking for answers? Looking for direction? Looking for real truth? Take out and dig into your eternal playbook. Be willing to make adjustments in your game plan to be all that you have been designed to be. You also have the advantage of the Coach Within (the Holy Spirit) to guide and provide you with the resources and motivation to truly “Love God and love others.”
