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Time flies in this world and the older I become the more aware I am that each of us has our own specific purpose. There is no “One Size Fits All Parenting” because one size will NEVER fit every child and their purpose in life. So many individuals believe that they have found the “magic bullet” for the “One Size Fits All,” however I don’t believe that will ever happen. As I wrote in part one of this post, the Lord created each one of us with unique abilities to fulfill His plan for our lives. With so many differences how could one parenting style be the solution?
Life is not easy, but it is so full of joy, laughter, and love. The Lord gave us four different seasons because He knew we would be fickle. We are never completely satisfied with anything. Time takes its toll and we yearn for something new and different. He made us this way so we would yearn for the Creator of all things. So why in the midst of raising children are we scrambling around trying to figure out what it takes to devise the “One Size Fits All Parenting?” Because our society wants step-by-step, easy to follow instructions guaranteed to produce excellent results. ?
Parenting Beginnings
From the day you bring your child home your work begins. As parents we gently mold them like a small mound of play-dough, kneading and tugging them into their own design. When we see the special things that the Lord has built into their personalities it is our responsibility to nurture them. I believe that we are born with specific characteristics that the Lord wants to use in His plans for our lives. We can learn new skills, but we all have God-given natural abilities within us.
Every child (and adult for that matter) has their own personal gifts and challenges. Our job as the parent is to “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6. God’s word states that we (the parents) are to “train” the child “in the way he should go.” I’ve always looked at this verse as meaning each child has their own unique direction to go and it’s our job as the parents to instruct and guide them. We can only do this if we lovingly see each of our children as individuals not as mirrors of ourselves or their siblings. And we must seek the Lord’s guidance daily concerning each child. My husband and I have raised five females in the same home and not surprisingly they are so undeniably different. I thank the Lord for their differences, however it does get challenging! ?
Life is Like a Box of Chocolates…
Relax, stop searching for THE solution to your child’s difficulties, and instead start focusing on your child and his/her individuality. Each one has a special path to take in life. To add a little more to the famous line “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get,” the same is true of kids. You never know what you will be given, but know that it is yours for a purpose. Be thankful that you have been given the precious gift of a child. He(she) is yours to shape, instruct, and guide through this life. (FYI parenting never ends!)
Till Next Time,
Romona
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