If you know me, you know I talk about a way of parenting called “Attachment Parenting” or “Natural Parenting”. Although we follow most of what is associated with this type of parenting, my husband has put into words (and I agree) that we don’t really like the term. We also don’t think we are perfect (far from it!) or have all the answers (yeah… right). We do know that the way we parent is what works best for us & we want everyone to experience the joy, the connectedness, and the love that we experience by raising our kids the way we do.
However, this post is not about that. Well, not entirely. I was reading Jude today (yeah, there’s only one chapter) and Jude is warning people about godless men who have snuck into their presence & are trying to pretend to be like them. Only… I could see myself as being like one of these men (or women?) Jude was describing. In verse 16, Jude says, “These men are grumblers and fault-finders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Yikes! I don’t know about you, but I’ve found myself guilty of each of those descriptions before, and even recently. Verse 19 says, “These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Did you catch that? They follow mere natural instincts.
Now, I know Jude is definitely not talking specifically about parenting here. But it just reminds me about the way Chris & I parent our 2 kids. If I can relate to the horrible descriptions of those evil men, and at the same time say I’m following my natural instincts to parent, I think I may have a problem. I can’t just follow my instincts. I’ll surely fail. What do I do about this? Glad you asked. Verse 20 goes on to say, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” I can’t just parent naturally. I have to parent supernaturally. I have to live & parent & do everything I do by praying & walking in the Holy Spirit. I am not able to do anything good on my own. Ask Sam. He knows when I’ve tried. I’m sure if he could explain it to you, he’d tell you that when I am praying & walking in the Holy Spirit I’m a much better mom.
Those were some thoughts for you today. Are you doing what comes naturally, or are you praying in the Holy Spirit so that you can do what comes supernaturally?
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I was reading a commentary online & these comments were in the section for 1 John 5:16.
There may be those who are so far gone in sin that there may seem to be little, or almost no ground of hope. They may have cast off all the restraints of religion, of morality, of decency; they may disregard all the counsels of parents and friends; they may be sceptical, sensual, profane; they may be the companions of infidels and of mockers; they may have forsaken the sanctuary, and learned to despise the sabbath; they may have been professors of religion, and now may have renounced the faith of the gospel altogether, but still, while there is life it is our duty to pray for them, “if peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,” 2 Tim. 2:26. “All things are possible with God;” and he has reclaimed offenders more hardened, probably, than any that we have known, and has demonstrated that there is no form of depravity which he has not the power to subdue.
Wow. Praise God! He does the work. We need to pray & be available.
God, may I never again neglect to pray, even & especially for those whom I think are impossible & will never come to know you. It just shows how I underestimate you & your power. Please forgive me for giving up when you don’t. You want to have them as your children & for your glory to be shown. May it be shown, God, and I will do my part and PRAY!
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