by Tini Tadeo-Castillo
It's not always easy being intentional as a parent. Some things call for us to be inconvenienced and some requires us to adjust schedules and set aside personal agenda. But we have to understand that doing so will have a great impact in the future of our children. There are days I find it difficult to go out of my way for my children, when I'd rather stay within schedule and refuse to deviate from what I had already planned. Sometimes I feel resentment and feel that it is unfair when I have to move things around me just so my children can do things they are passionate about or give up my space just so they can have theirs. On days like this, I find comfort in knowing that such inconveniences have rewards. I am able to build a strong and secure relationship with them by showing their importance in my life, supporting them in the things they love, putting their needs before mine. I know that the big and little things I do now, will matter in the future. The foundations I lay today by sharing God's Word, modeling its application in my life and praying with and for them equips them for challenging things they are sure to face. There will come a time that I will have to release all ten fingers and let them soar and chase their dreams away from me. When that time comes, I'd like to see them have rock solid faiths like Joseph had. That when they are set free in a hedonistic culture and society, they will triumph over temptation and rise above defeat, refuse to be discouraged by failure and remain steadfast in their faith in Christ.
The next time you feel such inconvenience in driving your child to his practice or feel like you ought to be somewhere other than the basketball game of your son or ballet recital of your daughter, think and pause. When your schedule is moved around just because you have to be with your child for the school's family day, think twice before you rant about the trouble of cancelling meetings. They grow up fast. Faster than a blink of an eye and before you know it, you've missed the opportunity to minister to your children.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Intentional parenting is a lifestyle that requires time, effort and faith. But it is not something we have to do alone. God will be with us every step of the way in raising our children when we seek His righteousness in our life. Guaranteed, fool-proof.
It's not always easy being intentional as a parent. Some things call for us to be inconvenienced and some requires us to adjust schedules and set aside personal agenda. But we have to understand that doing so will have a great impact in the future of our children. There are days I find it difficult to go out of my way for my children, when I'd rather stay within schedule and refuse to deviate from what I had already planned. Sometimes I feel resentment and feel that it is unfair when I have to move things around me just so my children can do things they are passionate about or give up my space just so they can have theirs. On days like this, I find comfort in knowing that such inconveniences have rewards. I am able to build a strong and secure relationship with them by showing their importance in my life, supporting them in the things they love, putting their needs before mine. I know that the big and little things I do now, will matter in the future. The foundations I lay today by sharing God's Word, modeling its application in my life and praying with and for them equips them for challenging things they are sure to face. There will come a time that I will have to release all ten fingers and let them soar and chase their dreams away from me. When that time comes, I'd like to see them have rock solid faiths like Joseph had. That when they are set free in a hedonistic culture and society, they will triumph over temptation and rise above defeat, refuse to be discouraged by failure and remain steadfast in their faith in Christ.
The next time you feel such inconvenience in driving your child to his practice or feel like you ought to be somewhere other than the basketball game of your son or ballet recital of your daughter, think and pause. When your schedule is moved around just because you have to be with your child for the school's family day, think twice before you rant about the trouble of cancelling meetings. They grow up fast. Faster than a blink of an eye and before you know it, you've missed the opportunity to minister to your children.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Intentional parenting is a lifestyle that requires time, effort and faith. But it is not something we have to do alone. God will be with us every step of the way in raising our children when we seek His righteousness in our life. Guaranteed, fool-proof.