The Book I Recommend to Every Parent
Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.
When it comes to parenting, there is much that I don't know. But there is so much that I want to learn! I take my task very seriously (and joyfully)! I want to do the best I can with the task God has given me, especially since I have such a short time to do it.
Today I want to recommend a book that I am currently reading through my second time around. This book is not like the other parenting books that give you "guidelines and rules to follow so that you can produce well-behaved children." No. This book takes you straight to the source of wisdom for parenting: God's Word. It outlines the Biblical goal for parenting, which is ultimately the chief end of man: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
This book shows how parenting requires your time, energy, effort, and attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It shows why it is so dangerous and unbiblical to be passive in parenting (i.e. I'm only here to provide food, clothing and shelter and to make sure my child doesn't get in too much trouble.) Instead, parenting is a job that requires intentionality and consistency in every area and in every situation.
Not only does it tell you all these things, but it also tells you how to do all these things! It gives you godly, biblical ways to point your child to the Lord and to train your child in the ways of God.
It describes how important it is to discipline graciously while using the rod every time they disobey, not only when their actions are irritating or inconvenient to us. We as parents are called to be invested and devoted, warning our child and rescuing their lives from Hell (Proverbs 23:14). This is so important! I feel that I can't explain truly how important this is!
The burden I carry for this subject is great. I want to do the best I can before God and I want to walk in obedience to Him in the way I raise my daughter. I have seen too many parents let someone else have the authority over their child while they sit passively on the sidelines, only providing the necessary things to live instead of being actively involved in their child's life, disciplining them when they sin against God and training them in righteousness in the everyday activities of life. And that is precious time that's being wasted.
I recommend this book to every parent, especially to new parents. It's very cheap on Amazon and it is so worth the read!
Have you read this book yourself? What do you think? Please share with me below! :)
https://www.amazon.com/Shepherding-Childs-Heart-Tedd-Tripp/dp/0966378601/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&key