Every time we talk about Kingdom Parenting, I want to make it very clear:
Kingdom Parenting is best shown through the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the greatest parent that this world has ever seen, yet he had NO physical children of His own. As a Kingdom Parent to his disciples, he raised disciples that would change the entire world. Kingdom Parenting happens everywhere – not just at home.
Provision
Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2 Corinthians 12:14
Kingdom Parents should provide for their children, it is part of their responsibility. When talking about provision we are not exclusively talking about monetary (although this is one way) – we are trying to focus on providing for children what they need.
When our daughter, Hope, was born – we had many guests come over to our house. As soon as they entered the house they would immediately carry and hug baby Hope and exclaim, “you are so cute!” Our guests would also, always show love to Justus – bringing him gifts and talking with him.
Yet, one day, Justus shared with grandma, “everybody loves Hopey because she is so cute, but not everybody loves me.” This statement really caught our attention, and we knew something was wrong. As we prayed and observed, we realized that Justus didn’t feel loved. He was given gifts, engaged, and loved in so many ways! But the love that he needed was physical touch – he needed hugs, kisses, and cuddles!
My wife, Karyne, is a wonderful woman. She loves you in a million ways – if you are sick, she will draw you a bath, make you a sandwich, let you sleep – she will do anything and everything for you! But her natural instinct for love has never been hugs, kisses, and cuddles. Karyne absolutely loves our son, Justus, but what Justus needed – the provision he required – was not service. He needed hugs, kisses, and cuddles. When Karyne went out of her comfort and norm to give him just that – he never said those words again – he knew he was loved.
What Justus needed was not more toys, not more encouragement – he needed more hugs. Karyne had to provide that – even though she does not naturally display it.
Care
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
Psalm 1227:3
Let’s say one miraculous day, Willowdale Pentecostal Church came up to us and said, “please – we want you to have the church building and land (an appraised value of $20 million dollars).” It has a beautiful sanctuary, a gym, a sound system, rooms for classes, a day care, plenty of parking, a large field, it has everything! I would gladly receive this amazing gift.
Now imagine, after receiving this gift I start to complain that the parking lot is so big – now we have to shovel. The field is so large – now we have to mow the grass. The sanctuary has such high ceilings – now we have to change lightbulbs. How ridiculous is that? It sounds ridiculous – but in reality, we do this all the time. We oftentimes forget about the gift. We become ungrateful for the gift because of the responsibility it comes with.
In today’s busy and mixed up society, children are very frequently seen more as a burden than as a treasure. I have had reactions where we share that we are pregnant and the first thing that comes out of their mouths is, “OH NO.” That is unfortunate. We can see children & others as burdens and therefore lose care.
As Kingdom Parents – it is easy to consider others a burden. We don’t want to be Kingdom Parents because it comes with responsibility – it comes with challenge. Yet, Kingdom Parenting is a gift to this world. To be able to walk the journey of life with others is a tremendous gift. Does the gift come with responsibility, headache, heartache, challenge? Absolutely. But children are a gift from the Lord.
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithful to the truth, telling of how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 3-4
Kingdom Parenting is the same as Genuine Care for Others. Genuine Care for Others includes provision & care. As we continue to grow and mature as Kingdom Parents – may we always remember to provide and care to represent Jesus accurately. Amen.