Sacred Parenting (By Teresa Armor)

(By Teresa Armor - with references to the book Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas)

One of the most important responsibilities we have as parents, yet might take lightly, is that of raising our children to know, love, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. But just telling them about God, or even regularly attending worship isn’t enough. The Bible tells parents that we should, “[R]aise [our children] with Christian discipline and instruction.” (Ephesians 6:4). When each of my kids were baptized, some of the promises I made were to faithfully bring them to church, have them attend Sunday School, and eventually get confirmed. Until recently, I often felt overwhelmed (even frustrated) when I thought about this huge responsibility. Because of this, there were many times when I would avoid weekly worship services and some of the ministries I enjoyed.

It’s possible many of you reading this article may have felt something similar at one time or another. Maybe you also chose to sleep in on a Sunday morning, in lieu of going to worship. Maybe you have also sat bleary-eyed and oblivious to the lesson of the day in a church pew while your pastor sermonized. Maybe you have also watched other families who seem to have their act together on a Sunday morning and have prayed for the day when that might be you someday.

Yes, I think we’ve all been there or close to it. Since those early days as a new parent I’ve come to realize that I do not have to shoulder these responsibilities alone. Through prayer and faith, God has given me ways to faithfully accept the role of parent and disciple, without the worries and frustration getting (as much) in the way. With the prayer and support of my church, Zion Penn Hills, and that of other families, I began a new small group ministry for parents of young children looking to nurture and maintain their children’s faith, as well as their own. We called the group Sacred Parenting. We chose the name based upon the book by Gary L. Thomas, of the same name, wherein the author illustrates “How raising children shapes our souls.” The book isn’t as much of a learning or teaching tool, as it is a treasure map of faith-based, spiritual insight. I came upon this book mid-2006 while sorting through what it was that I felt God was calling me to do then. I often refer back to its words and devotions for guidance and clarity.

I suppose that I cannot write this without delving a mite into how it is that my personal desire for a closer relationship with God even came to be. It’s not as though I just woke up one day and thought “I’ve got to hurry and get the kids baptized!” No. I think it’s because no matter how hard I’d tried to run from God and faith as a youth and young adult, He was always there … shadowing me … waiting. When I finally came to realize on my own how important this is, and actually wanted to be participative and not merely a spectator, the need and desire for it took root and grew. And then this desire only grew stronger after I had my children!

In the words of Gary L. Thomas, “Children are the holy teachers who ‘sometimes spit up on themselves or us. Sometimes they throw tantrums. Sometimes they cuddle and kiss us and love us. In the good and the bad they mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways. Although we may shed many tears along this sacred journey of parenting, numerous blessings await us around every bend in the road.’” (Gary L. Thomas, Sacred Parenting, (Zondervan: 2004), 21). What I like and think is most meaningful about this book, is that it doesn’t mandate what Godly parenting is, but rather exemplifies what can happen to your faith when you desire to parent Godly. God put that desire in my heart and then led me to this book, which led me to begin the parenting group. Where will God lead you, or where has He already led you?!