The Myth of the Perfect Parent

The Myth of the Perfect Parent | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

I was informed of this article via a parenting forum I lurk at sometimes.  And I can so identify with much of the confusion, worry & fret, and the measuring of success we do as parents.  We may judge others, but I know I can be awfully harsh on myself.

Listening to freebelievers and thegodjourney plus reading some of the books I've read recently (The Misunderstood God, & He Loves Me!) are helping me keep my mind on the pure Love of my Father who Loves me (and my children) with abandon.  He's absolutely crazy for us, singing and dancing over us with joy, and He wants our own joy to be full......of Him.  I walk and rest in that love and the grace He bestows.

I am quite aware that we haven't been perfect parents, but I think I'm learning these days that I don't need to freak-out about some of the things that I used to, or feared that I would freak-out about if they were ever to happen in our family.  God's Love and Grace are so great to carry us through anything, and at the same time we can be anxious about no-thing!!!  That isn't a brag about us.....it's a brag on how Big and Awesome our Father is!!!

I currently have a situation in which there is constant practice for me to leave it with Abba....to learn to be anxious about no-thing.  I have stated my concerns as I felt it was a mom's responsibility, and now the decisions here on out are not mine to make.  I need to learn to stand back more.  To watch and pray, and to speak less and love more without so many words.  A new stage.  A new place to grow.


"We are not sovereign over our children—only God is. Children are not tomatoes to stake out or mules to train, nor are they numbers to plug into an equation. They are full human beings wondrously and fearfully made. Parenting, like all tasks under the sun, is intended as an endeavor of love, risk, perseverance, and, above all, faith. It is faith rather than formula, grace rather than guarantees, steadfastness rather than success that bridges the gap between our own parenting efforts, and what, by God's grace, our children grow up to become."  (from the article 'The Myth of the Perfect Parent')

Question for You:  Is there something in particular that you have learned recently about parenting that you could share?