This month, in participation with Crossway Books, I'll be giving away three copies of Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus
by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick, and Jessica Thompson.Here is a description:
How are parents to raise children so they don’t become Pharisees (legalists) or prodigals (rebels)? It’s all about grace-filled, gospel-driven parenting, says the mother/daughter team of Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson. Christian parents, in their desire to raise godly children, can drift toward rule-centered discipline. There is, however, a far more effective method—a grace-motivated approach that begins with the glorious truth of God’s love for sinners.
In Give Them GraceIf you want to be entered in this book giveaway tell us your best parenting story (funny, serious, crazy... whatever) in the comments section of this post. Please put your full name in the post so I can notify the winners on Monday.
15 comments:
This is both funny and serious. We taught our kids about how throwing away your trash and not littering is an act of worshiping God because we are taking care of the earth He gave us to care for. We were walking outside a store and my son saw some trash on the ground and said, "Dad, that person is not worshiping God!" I had a good laugh and so did my wife when I got home and told her:)
(my wife will never let me forget this one) Playing with our year old son one day tossing him up in the air...forgot all about the ceiling fan spinning above us...WHACK! Fortunately, a little bruise was the worst thing to come from it. Way to go, Dad!
John Mark Patrick
A few years ago we were beginning to instruct our 2 year old about selfishness and not "taking" things from others. As we would drive to Church, we would describe worship and try to convey the Gospel. While explaining that Jesus "took" our sins from us, she got upset, looked up, and cried, "Jesus, give me back my sins!" This was her first prayer...
David Widener, New Orleans
It had been a fanatastic family swim day, in-laws included. On the way out of the pool, "Grandma" was mentioning how everyone's skin was becoming shriveled from being in the water so long. She said, "It's a good thing we're getting out NOW before we turn into raisins!" And my dear, sweet 6-year-old says, "Well, Grandma. You don't have to worry about that, do you? You're ALREADY a raisin!" How kind. Just what a menopausal woman needs to hear. Needless to say, I filed that one for a later lesson in Things Not To Say To Your Grandma and How Not To Embarrass Your Mother.
Last week, my wife went upstairs to let our 2 yr old daughter out of her room after a nap. She was proud of her coloring ...
Our daughter had managed to get a purple marker from the top of her dresser and color her wall, her arms, and legs. There was a lot of deep breaths and self control to get through it!
Brian Charles, SC
One morning, I awoke to discover that our dining room light was on. This was unusual. I asked my husband if he turned it on, and he said, "No." At that point, I jumped out of bed to see which child was awake. To my surprise, I discovered an artificial Christmas tree half erected and no child. As I walked back toward the bedroom to share the news with my husband, the basement door flew open and our four-year-old son appeared, dragging the other half of the Christmas tree. He was so proud of his accomplishment. All I could do was laugh. I didn't have the heart to disassemble the Christmas tree and put it away immediately so we left it up for a few days as a reward for all of our son's hard work. I wonder if that's how Christmas in July originated? Oh the joy that children bring to a home! What a blessing!
(In this parenting instance, we did not discipline our son because we felt that he was acting out of childishness rather than open rebellion. ;)
My son is only 3 months old, but I was incredibly amused when a kid at church threw a foam ring and it landed perfectly around his neck.
My son was 2 at the time and he was playing and came up to me. He looked like something was wrong. So I asked what was wrong and he threw up on me. My first response was get him to the toilet so he can finish. Made it the toilet after he threw up two more time. Quick thinking but I was not quick enough
Most memorable because it happened yesterday...
We have seventeen month old boy-girl twins. Yesterday, my son threw thirteen toys down the furnace vent. Even as his mother was pulling them out, he continued to try throwing more down there. As infuriating as this was, she quickly forgot her frustration while putting him to bed. Along with her hug, she received smoothing rubs on her shoulders from her dear son.
Ryan and Gina Boyer, MKE
Last week, out of the blue, my seven year-old (NO JOKE and no exaggeration) asked me:
"Mom? How do we even KNOW there is a God? And how do we KNOW that the gospel is REALLY true? Couldn’t it be that Jesus DIDN’T rise from the dead? And what about those disciples? Maybe they didn’t EVEN exist! How do we KNOW that they existed?"
And once I began to answer her (after commending her for asking such important questions), there were more. Seriously. It was like everything I’ve ever learned about epistemology, philosophy, theology, and faith were all put to the test in one giant wave of questions from this little pipsqueak of a darling girl. It was rigorous, but great. I guess
I just sort of assumed I had a few YEARS before we’d be having that kind of a conversation. But God works in mysterious ways and kids are unpredictable.
My story falls along the lines of very serious. My husband and I answered the call to pastor another church when our children were a junior,freshman, 7th grader and 3 yro. They did not want to move, they were adamant that we not move, one of them begging us not to move. We did because we believed God was leading us and we wanted them out of a school system where they were not thriving. All that to say we followed God even though our kids had a hard time with it. This move taught them to lean hard on God, to trust their parents and their heavenly Father and today 8 years later they would have it no other way. It sounds harsh to say we moved even when they were so against it. We did listen to them and their heart cries, but we knew God was in this move to another pastorate and we trusted Him to take care of our children and He has. Thanking God for four beautiful children who are the joy of my heart.
My son wanted to spend his money on one of those grabber games. I said no, he asked why, and I tried to explain that it was throwing money away on small chance of winning. This was a waste of the money God had given to him. He persisted and--thinking I would teach him a lesson--said, 'Fine but you're going to lose your money.' Of course, he pulled out the biggest prize in the box!
John Botkin
First time dad, Lord willing, in August. Have to let you know funny stories in the future.
My wife and I recently found out, on my golden birthday in fact, that she is pregnant with our first child! Though completely unexpected and unplanned by us, we're resting in the fact that the child is completely expected and planned by the Lord.
Would love to be entered to win the book...I so appreciate Elyse Fitzpatrick's fervor for the gospel. The bits of heard of this book via Twitter have been outstanding...Thanks for the giveaway Zach and Crossway!
Likewise with the above comments, I'm not a parent, but that's why I'd like to digest this book now: I'd like to go into that special ministry with these gospel insights already in tow.
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