Yes... there are 4 more weeks to go of the Summer Holidays and the enticing thought of the freedom of September beckons.
Whilst we are in the middle of the long walk, I found this quote hugely encouraging and thought I would share it on here. The author is writing about the cost of investing in parenting versus the benefits. I could not write it more succinctly or cleverly, so am just going to copy it out. It's from "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp. (Excellent book - best I have read so far on parenting... and I've read alot).
"There is a simple way to look at the cost of deep, full-orbed communication. You must regard parenting as one of your most important tasks while you have children at home. This is your calling. You must raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. You cannot do so without investing yourself in a life of sensitive communication in which you help them understand life and God's world. There is nothing more important. You have only a brief season of life to invest yourself in this task. You have only one opportunity to do it. You cannot go back and do it over.
You live in a culture in which there are opportunities for you to do things unheard of in history. You are presented daily with the scores of option for investing your life's energies and creativity. There is more than you could ever do. You must, therefore, prioritize.
Parenting is your primary calling. Parenting will mean that you can't do all the things that you could otherwise do. It will affect your golf handicap. It may mean that your home does not look like a picture from 'Better Homes and Gardens'. It will impact your career and ascent on the corporate ladder. It will alter the kind of friendships you will be available to pursue. It will modify the amount of time you have for bowling, hunting, television, or how many books you are able to read. It will mean that you can't develop every interest that comes along. The costs are high.
How can you measure the cost against the benefits? I have spent time with broken parents. I have seen the drawn faces of parents who have known the heartbreak of seeing their children fleeing a home in which they had not been understood or engaged by their parents. I have also known the joy of hearing children who have been biblically engaged by their parents say, "Dad, I am amazed at how thoroughly I have been prepared for life. I will always be grateful for what you and Mom have given me." What price tag can a parent place on that? "
Need I say more?!
