Loving on Purpose

Tonight was a night where the reality of life, parenthood, and relationships was put forth right in front of me. Jared and I signed up for a 6 week parenting class at our church called "Loving our Kids on Purpose" by Danny Silk. Going into it I was optimistic. I was hopeful that we would learn new techniques and gain insight into this whole world of parenting; however, I never knew I would walk away feeling inspired and ready to be a mother that God intended me to be. I've learned a lot in my Christian walk, yet I feel I haven't truly grasped my place nor my purpose. I thought this class would teach on traditional Christian ways of parenting:obedience, compliance, and discipline. Instead it spoke of teaching our children to manage freedom and not to live in a series of constraints. We can't be afraid of their mistakes or failures. Instead we need to respond to them with love. We have to remove the fear of punishment - 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind". There is no fear in love. One of the biggest and most important ingredients to parenting is the heart to heart connection as well as empowerment, providing a safe place where they feel they can be themselves, and providing unconditional love - obedience, respect, etc will never be as important as our connection. So often, it's easy to want control and when we don't have it we feel threatened. I realized through tonight's class that my parenting will either build self control, personal responsibility, respect, trust or it will build fear that attacks our connection. I'm so excited about the upcoming weeks and the truths that will be revealed. We are handed these beautiful lives that deserve our love and trust. I'm truly grateful for this experience!