"Parenting On Purpose!"

Today as I was preparing breakfast, my five year old put a question to me. I heard him from our dining area which is right of off the kitchen say, “Mom why are we here?" As I was trying to flip the pancake I stopped, my mind that was still trying to become fully awaken from the fog of not enough sleep, was shocked into accelerated thinking. Then he said, “why are we on the earth, I mean why were we made?". That could be a really loaded question to respond too, if being asked by an adult, imagine my dilemma; when I thought about answering this question in a way that would not only satisfy, but shed light on my son's significance and worth in this world.

Why are we here?

My initial response to him was to love God and to get to know him, and live a life that would make him happy. To worship him, by choosing to live the way that he thinks is best for us to live.

However, as I thought about this response I realized that I gave an answer that was not very personalized. I believe what I said to him was completely true, but I really believe that Gabe was asking me, "Mom what makes my being here on this earth important?" Would it have made the world any different, had I not shown up on this planet? Would I be missed, if I were not created? Could you have had some other kid besides me, and still be just as happy; and your family still be as complete? Here are the answers to those questions my sweet, valued, one of a kind, smart kid. When God thought of making you he did not just decide to throw together some human being, place them in some random family, in some random place, and then decide maybe one day I may need to use this kid for something or the other, and if I don't he will live out his life, die and I will move on to making another human being. Oh NO!

God had a purpose in mind; He had something that needed to be done in the earth, people that needed to be influenced for his Kingdom purpose. So he sat down at his drawing board and carefully began to etch out the perfect personality traits, height, and hair, eye, and skin colour, of the person for this job. He made this person with certain likes and dis-likes. He ensured that he possessed a particular type of humor. He gave him a love for trains, engines and machines. Put a love for music and analytical thinking in him. He then worked on the family that would be best able to love, nurture and bring out, these qualities that would be needed to fulfill this mission. He then united the two. You being on this earth and in this family were not a random act. It was completely intentional by God almighty.

So how do I as a parent knowing that my son and daughter were made with a unique purpose  and intentionally placed in our family, to be specifically parented by my husband and I; how do I convey this to them in a way that solidify everyday their importance, not only to us, but most of to God almighty? I don't know the complete answer to that question, but I hope as we as parents seek God for wisdom daily, that we would receive different portions of that answer along this journey of parenting them. That would eventually completely answer that question. However, what I do know at this stage is that we are to purposefully look for the unique gifts, traits, talents and qualities in each of our children and acknowledge those as being special and important. Let them know how those things add to our family and to the life of others. Also by helping them to develop those qualities and providing opportunities for them to use these attributes to be a blessing. We have to constantly be in prayer for our children and with our children, so that they would realize for themselves their uniqueness in God's eyes.

Abba, thank-you so much that you love us with an everlasting love, you draw us with your loving kindness. You turn your whole attention toward us. You have purposed for our children to be here in the earth, during this specific time in history, you carefully choose our family to place them in. Help us to realize the awesome responsibility that this is for us to nurture them in a way that they would affect the culture of their communities, country and world for your kingdom purpose. May your kingdom come, may your will be done in the lives of our children today even as it has already been destine for them in heaven. Help us to parent intentionally with their purpose and destiny in mind always, in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Psalm 139:13-14

The Voice (VOICE)-Bible Translation 

13 For You shaped me, inside and out.

    You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.

14 I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.

    You have approached even the smallest details with excellence;

    Your works are wonderful;

I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.