Parenting with the Windows Open | Gospel Centered Parenting

This time of year that I’m especially aware of the things I say. Gospel centered parenting doesn’t demean–it edifies.

It’s that time of year here where everyone ventures into the sunshine, blinks, and smiles. The rain is gone, the weather is warm, and the windows are thrown open. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we celebrate our beautiful, short summer by living outside to the best of our ability.

It’s also the time of year that parenting is on display.

There are parents at the water park, at the zoo, on the hiking trails, and in every house surrounding mine. More often than I’d like, I hear things said to children that make my heart wince. Things that should never be said to children, or ordinary things said in ways that they should never be said.

Gospel centered parenting doesn’t demean–it edifies.

It’s the time of year that I’m especially aware of the things that spring forth from my own mouth.

After all, my neighbors can all hear me. I’m parenting with the windows open.

The Gospel Centered Parent

The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Proverbs 16:21

It’s funny, isn’t it, that I’m especially aware of my own conduct when I know it’s audible to those around me?

After all, Jesus sees me each and every day. He hears every word that issues forth from my mouth. My children are truly his children. Their little hearts are mine to shepherd only… I am only a steward.

In these summer months, I’m always especially aware of whether or not my conduct changes based on who can hear me.

Let’s just level with each other: parenting has a way of raising every emotion humanly possible.

Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Parenting can cause long-hidden anger to surface unexpectedly.

However, parenting in anger isn’t just something we should avoid. Parenting in anger is detrimental; we should run from it like we would run from a rat carrying the plague.

Parenting Like the Gospel Matters

I want to raise the bar on my parenting. You too? This summer, let’s ask more of ourselves.

Are we parenting as if the gospel of Jesus Christ is really real?

Are we parenting as if we really believe that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again for our young people?

Do we remember that we have done nothing on our own to earn the grace that God has extended to us?

Are we remembering that he loves us even in our foolishness and sin? That God loves our children?

In our summer parenting, are we displaying the fruit of the Spirit? (You know, those character traits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…) Are the words of our mouths gracious?

Let’s use this time of year to contemplate our hearts. When we speak, no matter what we say, let’s be certain our kids hear:

I love you. Jesus loves you. Your life is valuable. God has designed you for a purpose.

If that’s not what they’re hearing, then absolutely nothing else we say matters. Nothing.

Grab this FREE Good News of Jesus poster and verse cards and help your kids learn the gospel!

Christ Centered Christian Parenting

It can be a challenge to discipline, instruct, and herd (what, you never have to herd kids?) and communicate love, grace, and discerning counsel all at the same time. In fact, on my own, I am incapable of any of that.

Thankfully, I’m not doing this super-hard-oh-so-challenging gig on my own. Nope. I’m doing it in the strength of the Lord.

All that fruit I’m supposed to be bearing? Jesus said I can only bear fruit if I remain in Him: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV).

If my fruit isn’t standing the test of parenting with the windows open, it’s time to get back to the Word, back to praying. It’s time to focus my eyes on HIM.

Bible Resources for Your Kids

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60 Scriptures You Can Pray

The Bible is full of prayer that you can pray too!

How do you pray when you don’t know what to say? The Bible holds the answer.

God doesn’t expect us to pray without guidance. In fact, Scripture is full of examples of ordinary people approaching our extraordinary God in prayer.

Award-winning author Danika Cooley believes that praying God’s Word teaches us how to best communicate with our Lord:

“There are so many lessons we can learn from Scripture about how to approach God and what to expect when we do.”

Danika’s devotional 60 Scriptures You Can Pray covers eight types of prayer from the Bible, the expectations we should have when we pray, and the right heart attitude for prayer.

60 Scriptures You Can Pray | 8 Types of Prayer

60 Scriptures You Can Pray features prayers of:

Praise | We adore God for who he is.
Thanksgiving | We thank God for all he has done.
Confession | We admit our sin to the God who saves us.
Supplication | We humbly ask God to provide for our needs.
Intercession | We ask God to meet the needs of others.
Deliverance | We cry out to God for help in times of trouble.
Lament | We bring our sorrow to God, our comforter.
Guidance | We ask for God’s help in determining his will for our lives.

When you read 60 Scriptures You Can Pray, you will:

Develop a habit of praying daily over a two-month period
Learn more about prayer in Scripture
Understand eight different types of prayer
Expand your understanding of how to pray biblically
Become better acquainted with God, His Word, and why we pray

Packed with thoughtful explanations of biblical prayer and practical application in each devotion, 60 Scriptures You Can Pray is the tool you need to learn more about prayer–straight from God’s Word.