MINUTES WITH MANAW

^{Benefits of parenting}

You will have a stronger prayer life. Help!!

You will get more exercise – washing, cleaning, mending, chasing…

You will acquire better ‘handling’ skills: with just two hands carrying, baby, diaper bag, purse, and/or groceries.

You will develop patience: phone, doorbell, spouse, pot on the stove, and toddlers all needing attention at once.

You will now realize how smart your parents were when you thought they did not know what they were talking about.

You will have more self esteem; “I can do this!”

You will understand more how much God loves you and how important relationships are.

You will get more satisfaction: “I love being a parent!”

Every time you hold your child, you hold a piece of heaven in your arms. The love in your heart and the tone of your voice are being transferred into your child’s life and into their future.

“Except the Lord build their house (or family) they labor in vain that build it.” 

Psalm 127:1

To the new parents in the family:

You are in for a real education! Now you will know how smart your parents were when you thought they didn’t know what they were talking about. You will find yourselves in the situation: toddler pulling the cattail, phone buzzing, pot boiling over, and the doorbell ringing. Your prayer time will increase considerably; Father, help? What am I going to do now?

All of your priorities will be rearranged – a date night might be going out at night to get groceries or diapers. 

But seriously?

You will have a new concept of how deep the depth of God’s love is. 

You will realize raising your family that ‘what you do’ teaches more than ‘what you say.’

Know that the most important gift to your child is for you to love each other as parents.  

We are so thankful for our many resources, but there is only ONE TRUE SOURCE!

You will realize how important this is:    “Put on a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness.” (to be used, a garment must be put on.)   Put your praises to God first, then all heaviness will be lifted.  Another good one:  “God inhabits the praises of his people.”

You will come to know that the awareness of His Promises makes a world of difference in everything. In parenting there will be times when it is hard to be grateful and praise Him, but it will help in ANY situation those kids get you into!

And remember - someone who loves you is just a phone call away if you need a break!