Cabo Festival

When our very first child was born, less than a week old, I helped a nurse restrain her when she had to be pierced with a three-inch syringe for her antibiotic shot. Her tiny scream cut my heart in two; I wanted to take her place because I loved her. I realized I had ceased becoming only a man- I had become a father.

Here are some thoughts we learned about parenthood from our experience, from books, from friends, relatives and from our father…

1. Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. It is good to thank God for our children and for the privilege of being parents.
2. Parenting is our first ministry. Before we think of evangelizing other people, it would be good to ask ourselves if we have evangelized our homes.
3. Children spell love as t-i-m-e Let the new bike be the wrapping, and the time to ride it with your child be the real gift.
4. Great marriages make great parents. It’s not enough to love our children. Even before that, they need to know their parents to love each other. Ephesians 5:22 and 25 says “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the lord. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church… Simple ways to let your children know their dad loves their mom:

1. Couch time. When you get home, spend the first 10 to 15 minutes with your wife on the sofa. In the presence of the children- but without their distraction- lovingly share about your day.
2. Open doors for her
3. Hold her hand, kiss and hug her in front of them
4. Give her flowers- just because
5. Go out on a date once a week

1. No man can be a perfect parent, but anyone can be a praying parent. Pray for blessings and protection today instead of praying for healing and deliverance to morrow. “Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your little one’s.
2. The child is the father of the man. Proverbs 22:6 tells us “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. How we train our children in their foundation years (0-8 years old) will strongly determine the kind of man or woman they become.
3. Be a parent now so that you will become their close friend later. When they are young, children need our authority to direct and protect them. It is by this loving authority that we earn this respect, which becomes a foundation for beautiful friendships when they grow older.
4. We can help form their conscience. After correction, let them explain why their actions were wrong, how they can make it right and what the proper behavior should be the next time around.
5. Be a man of the Word to become a man of your word. Let our father teach and empower us with his Word that we may become the parent he calls us to be.
6. The first Gospel our children will ever read is the one according to their parents
7. The most effective form of discipline is consistency.
8. When you ask them to do something, teach them to respond with a “Yes, Dad or “Yes Mom” It means I heard you Dad or Mom, I respect you, and I will do what you want me to, right now.
9. Have a special date night with each child. It establishes your communication lines and makes them know you love them equally even if they have five other siblings!
10. Leave your father and your mother. It is more effective for us to raise our children in our own homes (rented or otherwise) than it is to raise them with our parents.