Have you ever felt like the only reason you exist is to make sure your children have a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and a means to get to practice? Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond the necessities and chaos of daily life—it’s easy to lose sight of the value, you as a parent, truly have.
Why are you important to your child?
1. You are your child’s SUPER HERO! When your kids are very young, they think you have magnificent powers. Thomas the Tank Engine’s lost a wheel? No problem! Dad can reattach it in 10 seconds flat! Fell off a scooter and skinned your knee? Mom’s kiss makes it all better and you even walk away with a Disney Princess Band-Aid! But even as your kids get older and they discover you aren’t quite as impressively capable as they once thought, you are still their first impression of God. You are the one who can point them to the real Super Hero!
2. You are your child’s SAFE PLACE! If you’ve ever had your child run to you in the middle of the night, screaming because she’s absolutely positive there’s a spider bigger than your family dog lurking in her closet, you realize what a refuge you really are for your kids. Children tend to run to their parents first when a crisis occurs. (Adults do too!) And if you are a mom or a dad who loves and follows the Lord, your relationship with Christ provides added shelter for your kids. Proverbs 14:26 says, “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”
3. You are your child’s SOLDIER! God charges you to fight for your child’s heart. Because life can be so hard! It can be tempting to brush off your child’s bad day or bad mood by simply saying, “Everything will be fine. You’re just tired. Tomorrow’s a brand new day, sweetie!” But when you’re your child’s soldier, you can choose to say, “I’m here for you. Your pain or your frustration matters to me. You don’t have to be perfect. Let’s walk through this together.” Isn’t that similar to what God says to you? Similar to how He fights for your heart in a cruel world?
4. You are your child’s STORYTELLER! You have a history with your kids that no other person does! You can share family traditions and family stories. (Uncle Aaron and the time he got his book bag stuck on the telephone wire while waiting for the school bus…) Those mean something to your kids, even if they roll their eyes because you’ve told that story at least 17 times. Those stories and traditions connect you and your children. And throughout the rhythm of your day, you can also share stories of how God has worked in your life and in your family. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
5. You are your child’s SUPPORT! As your child becomes school-aged, he might struggle to see his worth. If he’s not picked for the basketball team… If she’s told that she’s not as pretty as so-and-so… But, as a parent, you have the unique ability to see your child’s potential—to see why he’s so incredibly special. Every child is created by God in His image, and you have a front row seat to watch how your child is growing into the adult she’ll be. You have the perspective your child needs to see the bigger picture—to see his worth in your eyes and in God’s. You have the ability to keep believing in your child, even when she doesn’t believe in herself.
You are more than a chauffeur, a rule-enforcer, a servant, a cook, a provider and entertainer for your kids. Parents, don’t lose sight of your worth. You truly MATTER!