A Few Thoughts on Parenting - 2023
Parental wisdom is the inner voice that tells us to use the knowledge we have to protect our children, to guide them as they form the very first fruits of wisdom themselves.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:11-12
About Growing Up
By the very definition, we are constantly being developed and expanding in size, maturity, and wisdom, or at least we should be. Often we get stuck in different seasons, but we are not supposed to become stagnant waters. You are meant to grow and become a man, not to stay a child.
About Knowledge
Either by practice or by education, you and I will acquire skills and an understanding of a plethora of subjects through life, this is what we "know." How much do we really know? Is knowledge enough? Certainly, it is not. There are plenty of knowledgeable people who are truly unbearable and not enjoyable to speak with.
About Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3: 13-18
What do we gain if we have understanding and knowledge? Not much really, if we do not know how to use it. Wisdom is how we use our knowledge. Using it effectively can have two polar opposite outcomes, either you become their greatest benefactor with your wisdom, or you become their worst nightmare.
About Parenting
As parents, we have already had the time to grow and acquire knowledge and understanding of at least the bare minimum of how life works. We do not understand fully, but we are aiming to keep enlarging our grasp of it.
Parental wisdom is the inner voice that tells us to use the knowledge we have to protect our children, to guide them as they form the very first fruits of wisdom themselves. Consequently, they will make their own decisions with time, but from the time that they are conceived until much later in their youth, they are utterly dependent on us. They cannot provide either food or shelter, let alone emotional guidance for themselves.
They will grow and be able to provide for their basic needs, even very early in life for some, and soon they will find themselves in the commitment of sharing those needs (marriage) and later on to be the provider of those needs (parents).
About Fatherhood
In a time where manhood is considered to be toxic, women are being deprived of the very things that make them unique, and the line distinguishing a man from a woman has been blurred by fictitious ideas, fathers are needed to step up and become lions for the sake of protecting the identities of our sons and daughters.
When sadness, disappointments, and enslaving thoughts of the unreal and harmful creep into our children's minds, we are supposed to cherish them and help them find enjoyment in truth and in life. We are not to teach them to "follow the flock" and conform but to stand up and confront.
We are supposed to be reasonable, patient, sincere, merciful, graceful, and kind nurturers, while, at the same time, passionate, zealous, ready for action, and adventurous warriors who defend their children. We are supposed to bring balance between what we know and what they do not know yet.
We are to become wise and grow in truth both for our own sake and for theirs.
Until the next one,
Javier F.
