Direction in Parenting

I am currently 12 weeks pregnant. As much as I am ecstatic, I'm facing the pending responsibility that comes with parenting. Sure we know about "children obey your parents," or "honor your father and your mother" (this was even the first command that was given with a promise..."that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" Exodus 20:12 referenced in Ephesians 6:1-3), however in Ephesians 6 it continues, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD." (v4)

Parents are told to bring up their child in the "training and instruction of the LORD." It's interesting because I can say that I have every intention to do that very thing. Kyle and I will discuss how we will instruct, discipline, and reward our child. We intend to be a team and to not undermine one another in the raising of this baby. However, I have to laugh because the only thing running through my mind right now is the main lesson point from youth last night. Andy Stanley said it this way, "Your direction, not your intention, determines your destination."

We can have great intentions for our lives, for our children's lives, even for the lives of our ministries, but that will not point us in the direction of our destination. God gives us inspiration, He gives us dreams and desires. And all of this is for a reason: to point us in the direction of the destination He has planned for us.

While I am still slightly intimidated at the realities of parenting, I can rest assured that making strides to raise my child in a Godly manner and pointing my direction on the destination of becoming a parent that reflects the love of God, I can rest assured in faith that I serve a God who will honor that.