Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 094 - How My Dog Inspires Godly Parenting
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 094 – How My Dog Inspires Godly Parenting
Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, equipping you to become a set-apart woman and mother.
Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
I remember several months ago when our Golden Retriever had surgery. Afterwards he wasn’t allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he didn’t understand why he was suddenly restricted from doing everything he loves to do. He didn’t know why his routine was disrupted. In fact, besides losing privileges he was accustomed to, he was forced to wear a humiliating pajama-style striped bodysuit that kept him from licking or scratching in the surgical area.
Since my dog can tend to act more like a cat, (he loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places were blocked off with bean bags and chairs as he recovered from surgery. One day I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas. I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he couldn’t get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit.
His reactions remind me how children sometimes react. They, like us, tend to take much for granted, assuming they have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations whenever they desire. If something changes or they feel it’s been taken away, they don't understand. They might get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed.
However, although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for.
If only our children could react the same way. What if they got up each morning looking for the blessings that day would bring. But are they being taught to live with that perspective? Are we modeling godly resilience? Unlike animals, our children are capable of reasoning at a high level. Each parent must discern whether they are teaching their children to reason with a godly, eternal perspective or a mindset that society touts as good, but falls short of the expectations of God.
Living with eyes, mind, and heart focused above is accomplished through a consistent, humble lifestyle that must be modeled to our children. Viewing the simplicity of expectations through the eyes of an animal that God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess humans have – of how much we assume and expect. How easily we can get caught up in worldly views and desires that are in turn handed down to our children.
If you want your children to have the ability to view life through an eternal lens that pleases God, you must embrace life in a way that appreciates the losses as much as you grab the gifts. Losses often stretch you beyond what you imagine you can endure, allowing you the opportunity to reach a new level of intimacy with God...if you allow yourself to focus on Him instead of selfish desires.
Are you modeling that faithfulness for your children to accept and emulate?
As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Just as important, don’t allow your disappointments to sway your child away from God or toward a habit of complaining. Instead, let trials and triumphs draw you and your children nearer to God.
Seek God despite circumstances so that you can allow His transformation to flow through you, no matter what happens to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. We must allow God access to our heart and the heart of our children - instead of allowing them to fuss about trials. Instead of trying to erase pain and make every road smooth.
Earlier I shared a story about my Golden Retriever. Recently he spotted one section of fencing surrounding our backyard garden was bent over. Because he has seen us inside the garden area, he decided it was only right that he be allowed inside that fence, too. He jumped inside, and as he made his way through rows of vegetables, he kept coming up against all the other sections of fence, which were standing upright.
Although when he’s in the house he loves to jump onto the backs of furniture, he couldn’t figure out that he’s big enough to scale the growing produce or short chicken wire fence protecting our garden from rodents. Even though he easily entered the garden, my dog couldn’t solve the issue of getting back out. Because he’s such a Velcro-dog, when he realized none of us were in the garden with him, he decided it wasn’t as fun as he hoped. His only desire was to find a way out to be with us. It actually left him unable to think clearly as he only focused on us, instead of thinking about clearing the obstacles around him.
Watching him made me ponder how often humans easily get ourselves into situations we don’t know how to escape. I imagined my dog as a child who thought he knew best until it was too late. Without our help he thought he was trapped. What situations do we allow ourselves to enter without a plan? How are we teaching our children to make wise choices that reflect God’s values and teachings? Are we teaching them to rely on Him when confusion or trouble strike? Or do they wander around confused and disoriented? Even when I called to my dog and showed him the area of fencing that was still laying down, he remained a little scared about jumping back over it. How often does God show us the way, but we remain paralyzed with fear because it’s not what we expected or we haven’t experienced it before. Instead of simply trusting me and jumping the way I instructed, it took time to coax my dog to take the correct route of the mess he got himself into.
I’m thankful God allows humans to care for animals, to love them and learn with them. I’m even more thankful for the children He entrusted to me – His precious children that He allows me to instruct and lead to Him.
As you think over your life, look for ways you can change your desires and reactions so that your children receive a godly example of how to live for Christ. Show them how to react when under stress, when plans change and life seems unsure, and when they don’t receive what they expect. Every act you do for Christ equips your child to construct an earlier, deeper walk with Jesus that will last into eternity.
Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day You pour forth speech; night after night You reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. Equip us to parent our children with Your love and grace in ways that impact them for an eternity with You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face.
That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family.
Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a no obligation, strategic 15 minute call to chat about your needs to see if the program is a right fit for you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity.
Because you’re a podcast listener, let me know if you’re ready to invest in the future of your children. If you tell me you heard about the special price I offer on this podcast, I will give you a big discount because I want you to experience results. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do.
Also, if you appreciated this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in whether people are able to find the podcast. Also, you and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so please choose a friend to recommend the show to. Imagine the changes we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too.
One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection.