What Makes a Good Parent

Parenting is an awesome responsibility. God has chosen us to be stewards over his most precious creation: mankind. Parenting can be the most rewarding and most devastating responsibility all at the same time. You will experience triumphs and failures, mountains and valleys, highs and lows. But the bottom line is we must constantly seek God's face and follow His examples as we parent our children. Why, because like us as children of God, our children will make mistakes, disappoint us, and do the opposite of what we have trained them to do, but like God, as parents we must continue to love them unconditionally and show them grace and mercy even when they fall short.

How then can we follow God's examples of parenting? What makes a good parent?

1. Show unconditional love
Recognize each child is different. Look at Cain and Able or the Prodigal Son and his brother. Same parents: different outcomes. It can be hard to admit but there are times when we don't like our kids because the disappoint us, disobey us, or are generally difficult to get along with. Truth be told there are some times when we must admit that our children are difficult to love. If left unchecked we can harbor a hidden resentment for our own children that can find its way out in our actions and our words causing irreparable harm.

Thank God He doesn't love His children in this way. Following His example of unconditional love is the pattern we must use with our own children. Loving children when they do right as well as when they do wrong can change the course of a child's life.

In the same way when chastising them speak the truth in love because when God chastens us he doesn't demean or belittle us instead he uplifts us takes us to a higher level of understanding.

2. Take authority
Kids need a parent not a friend. Believe it or not children want discipline. In fact, they crave it. Take the authority you've been given. Not by harshness and screaming because correction doesn't require anger, but by relationship and confident steady leadership. Immaturity and silliness in childhood can be overlooked but outright defiance, and disrespect can never be tolerated.

Your job is to teach respect for authority and the fear of the Lord to your children but it's hard to do when you have neither.

3. Establish faith

What you do will be remembered much longer than what you say. Children will notice when your faith isn't consistent with the precepts you have been teaching. So, be an example of faith before your child. Let them hear and see you praying and studying the Word of God. Give them praise reports about how God has delivered you and created open doors in your life. Mere references to faith are not enough. Your relationship with God should be woven into the fabric of your life.

We are instructed to bring our children up in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." Don't be afraid to walk the walk and talk the talk. The results will bless you

4. Don't stop parenting too soon
Many parents make this mistake by assuming once their children reach a certain age they no longer need a parent. On the contrary this is the point in their lives when they need you most especially the teen and early adult years. You see when they were young, they needed you to provide for them and protect them. Now they need you to mentor them.

Let them know you're still concerned about where they go and who they see. My mother always calls it a square one. I'm in my forty's, married, with two grown children of my own and I still call my mother and let her know when I'm leaving out of town or going to a strange place.

Be proactive and even aggressive if necessary.

5. Pray
Don't just ask God to bless your children. Pray specific prayers on their behalf. Ask God to help them spiritually mature so they won't depart from His teachings. Pray that God will surround them with Godly friends and help them to make wise choices. Pray that their choices will encourage spiritual growth. Pray they will obey you and honor you because this is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

Become a parent of purpose.

Cheryl is an award winning published author, educator, and conference speaker. Her internet radio show Worth More than Rubies reaches thousands of listeners each Saturday and has impacted women all across the nation. She makes her home in Houston, Texas with her husband Keith and Francois, their last son at home.

Cheryl is also the Chief Visionary Officer of Imani Enterprises which is comprised of 3 divisions: Worth More Than Rubies Ministries,Worth More Than Rubies Productions, and Imani Publishing.

Cheryl's talents as a gifted communicator are evident as she ministers to women's and teen's groups, singles' gatherings, corporate workshops, conferences, and special church services. Her prepared topics are appropriate for many functions and God uses her messages to empower, encourage, and equip anyone who attends your event. Cheryl is also able to tailor a message to fit your program's theme and the specific needs of your organization.

Read more about parenting in Cheryl's award winning book The Ministry of Motherhood. Get your copy from http://www.blackexpressions.com or http://www.amazon.com. To learn more about Cheryl visit [http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.org]. To contact Cheryl e-mail cherylspeaks@gmail.com.