Sacred Parenting

Imitation...Imitation...Imitation!

Isn't it funny how children have innate abilities from birth that continue to transcend deeper as they grow? Andy Meltzoff did the famous experiment seen below showing how newborns can imitate facial expressions from a very young age. They are born with this ability, it is a natural tendency for newborns, infants, toddlers, children, etc. to imitate, to look to others for guidance on how to respond, how to feel, how to approach certain situations and so forth.

My current Bible Study is reading 'Sacred Parenting' by Gary Thomas. If you are a regular reader, you remember me mentioning long ago about 'Sacred Marriage' (same author) and how I fell in love with that book. 'Sacred Parenting' follows the same premise...what if the act of being a parent was designed to make us more holy? In other words, parenting should be a continual spiritual journey toward holiness. The Bible mentions multiple times why we should have children: be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) and that we should love the Lord and raise children that will do the same (Deut. 6 & Psalm 78). Gary Thomas says it perfectly by saying that having children isn't about us...it is about God; put aside the selfish desires of wanting to bear children, be pregnant, get attention from others (which isn't easy).

Imitation...Imitation...Imitation!

While at church this morning, Lauren saw a gentleman in front of us raise his hand in the air while singing. Shortly thereafter, her little hand goes up swinging to the beat. Such an amazing thing if you stop and think about it. Of all the busyness occurring during church, she chose to imitate a positive action (regardless of whether she knew why). 2 Corinthians 7:1 says that we need to, "purify ourselves instead of the desire to purify our children." Isn't that what parenting is all about? We can 'teach' our children all the scripture in the world, go to church activities, and surround ourselves with positive people (all of which are good)...but if we do not purify ourselves, how will imitation play a role in all of it? Gary Thomas says that we need to transform our thinking of being a child-centered parent and turn that into a God-centered parent acting out of reverence for God. That means that our own spiritual quest must drive our parenting, constantly asking ourselves what our children are trying to teach us? (I know patience is a big one for me!)

So as I try and figure out this process of being a parent, I need to constantly remind myself that it isn't so much about behavior modification, eating the right things, going to tons of play dates, although important...it is about making myself a better person so when my little one starts to emulate me more, I can be happy with her decision.