Parenting is not a religion.

It is not a list of rules I can follow and be made righteous.

A library of books I can read and understand.

A way of life that can make my family more Holy.

It’s not about whether we homeschool or let our kids watch tv.

The nurturing mothers don’t all have food in the crockpot and crafts planned.

The respected fathers are not all detached and stern.

The good children are not always quiet and obedient.

Parenting is not a religion.

It’s a relationship.

It breathes and it grows and it changes.

It’s a tiny newborn, an awkward ten year old boy.

It’s a defiant two year old, a lovestruck teenage girl.

It’s moving away from us.

It’s coming in closer.

It changes more than it stays the same.

Parenting is not a religion.

Because the goal is not obedience.

The goal is trust.

And we find ourselves parenting when we find ourselves.

Our humanity.

Our tendency to get it wrong more than we get it right.

Our need for someone to please help.

Our reaching out.

Our reaching in.

The love we give is the love we have been given.