I have gone back & forth on this book. This may be close to my 5th attempt to read it. There are many good things in this book. I like the overall concept & many of his main points are right on.....but so much of the book is written with an arrogance that just gets under my skin. I guess I can't get past it. I am trying yet again so that I might gain wisdom from that which I find applicable.
Something I read today just seemed so on target with all that God is teaching me right now. "You only muddy the waters when the bottom line in discipline is your displeasure over their behavior, rather than God's displeasure with rebellion against his ordained authority." One of Tripp's main points, whether stated as such, is that we must parent intentionally. I think this has everything to do with that quote. I have found that lately I have just been letting life happen. My intentionality has been severely lacking & in that comes disciplining strictly out of displeasure over their behavior. I see how this can get completely out of hand. This places the focus on ME & MY desires. Not only does it fill me with an undue selfishness but it also takes the focus off of the Lord, whom I desire to center my life around. I want my children to know God & His character but if life is always about pleasing Mom or Dad, they will never learn how to please God. It totally goes against what I want for my children.
I so desire to parent intentionally & it will be a part of my "purpose" for 2011.
Lord, I pray that you would forgive me for making my pleasure or displeasure the basis for disciplining my children. I pray that I would focus more on how their actions line up with YOUR desire for them. I pray that I would guide them to follow YOUR will & not mine. Help me Lord to parent with intention & to teach my children how their actions do or do not glorify You. I love you Lord & I praise you for your infinite goodness! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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