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value 1

so while listening to carey nieuwhof speak on 5 parenting values i could hardly write fast enough. i am a parent. and sometimes i feel lost in that role. why is it never as easy as i thought it would be? well, i got a big chuckle when he suggested we burn our parenting books! huh???? what he did say, is that the 2 on our shelves probably contradict each other somewhere. that we usually feel guilty and that we've ruined our child. he also said that we are not perfect, nor will we ever be....so we might as well rethink parenting! geesh....again??

but then as he went through these values i learned that all the things i hope for my parenting to achieve are wrapped in these. so here we go with number 1.

IMAGINE THE END!
it is kind of like living in view of eternity. when we are in the daily struggles of parenting, remember the end result. what do i want for my child to learn from this. not how do i want them to conform right now. stop asking your child what he wants to be and instead ask who they want to be. they can be anything they want and be a miserable person. or they can be a great person that loves God and others and serve Him happily in any occupation.

our biggest goal should be to see our child have a relationship with Jesus Christ. both mapboy and princess have given their hearts to Jesus. and that is truly a gift to us, but it doesn't stop there. i must continue to encourage them to develop that relationship. our conversations are based on that...our discipline is based on that...do they love the Lord their God with all of their heart and soul and mind. and do they love others the same??????

so for me - what does this mean? well, i need to allow my kids to grow and develop character that flows from a relationship with Jesus. not character that flows from conforming to my way. i desire for my kids to love God so much they bubble. i want them to want to know God. i want them to dream big for God. i want them to know they are a part of God's story - an important and vital part.

so, when i'm in the battle of the moment, how will i react? will i picture my child learning something from this, or will i just make them obey - without the heart to obey?

this is hard......but isn't it good???????

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