The Call to Be a Parent

Becoming a parent is by far the most important thing I have done in my life.  It is not something to be taken lightly or approached as a hobby. It is not something we as parents make time to do, it is what God gave us time for. Our children are our purpose. We were called to be parents.  Parenting a sick child just intensifies these truths.

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward

God has gifted us with life. We are to stand with them, defend them, and value them. Our call as parents is to lay down our own life: our dreams, our future, our freedom, to raise up a child of God.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

By loving, supporting, and caring for a sick child we become walking example of the gospel. We live out our faith by giving our life for our child’s everyday, joyfully. It allows us to be imitators of God when we continually put aside the financial strain, the exhaustion, the fear, the discomfort, and the overscheduling to meet the needs of our child and take the time to nurture them.

Eph 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God

Our culture fears death, but death to ourselves leads to life at the cross. There is no greater gift than to live out the gospel and share it with our children in such a tangible way.

Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

I pray this encourages you during those moments when you feel your cup is empty, when you feel you have nothing left to give, when you feel neglected. Parenting a child, especially a sick one, is not easy or glamorous. All that you sacrifice is not easily seen. But your commitment and love is felt by your child, and recognized by your Father in Heaven. We will receive our reward in full eternally when we stand with our children in the presence of the Lord, healed, and full of joy.

Matt 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

May God bless you abundantly.

In Christian Love,

Connie Parker