Seeking Wisdom for Parenting

"Your children need your presence more than your presents."

~Jesse Jackson 

One of my almost-daily frustrations as a parent is knowing when to give, when to hold back, when to expect something in return, and when just to "let it all ride."  I'm not talking about love or hugs or encouragement.  All of those flow pretty freely in our home.

My point is that today's kids have so many more "things" available to them than we did as kids.  (For the sake of argument, let's call these "things" cell phones, iPods, game systems, etc.)  It's hard to know where to draw the line... when and how much to provide... when to expect them to work for things on their own.  The things that I feel are "excess" are just things that most kids have learned to accept as "everyday."

There is almost nothing that I would love more than to be able to give our kids everything they've ever wanted -- on a silver platter even!  But what would they learn from that?

BOTTOM LINE: I need to remember to turn each parenting challenge over to God, and to trust him for the outcome.

James 1:2-6(NIV)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,

because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.'

KEY:  When I ask God for wisdom, believe he will give it!

If you're a parent, we can pretty much assume that you've had frustrations along the way as well.  What Bible verses have been the biggest encouragement to you?


credit: opening quote found at quotegarden.com.