While I was on sabbatical, I met with a pastor friend here in Denver who shared with me something that I have incorporated into my own life as a parent. Thanks to this conversation, I now tell my kids that Daddy and I have 3 jobs as their parents:
1. We help keep you safe.
Physical safety may be most important when they are younger, but mental and emotional safety become increasingly important as our children grow.
2. We help you to make good choices.
These choices are about being kind and healthy to themselves and others. As our children grow, we will become coaches in their decision-making.
3. We help you remember who you are.
We remind our children by what we say and how we live life together as a family that they are loved, chosen and valued.
Our parenting jobs reflect back to God’s creation intent, and his intended triad of Safety, Significance, and Security. We lost these three things in the garden and are on a continual journey to return to them. Our children need us to lead them on that path.
Point your kids in the right direction – when they’re old they won’t be lost.
Proverbs 22:6 (The Message)
Susie Grade 