It seems like I usually know within the first few pages of a book if it is one that I will love. This is one of them.
I have been reading the book Romancing Your Child’s Heart by Monte Swan and have been devouring it as fast as I can. I don’t get through a book as fast as I used to, but I pick this book up every chance I get. It is one that I will definitely put on my shelf of books that I go back to time after time.
He talks about his experience with his parents growing up and how they won his heart for God, and how to use stories, experiences and adventures to win your children’s hearts, especially in a time when there are so many things out there that are competing for them.
He talks about how important OUR (as parents) relationship with God is…
“Only our personal relationship with God makes us legitimate and believable to our children. Without it, our overtures will not be on pitch and our words will sound hollow. We can romance a child without having a relationship with God, but in that case we’ll be romancing him to such things as materialism, legalism, agnosticism- effectively conducting him into the grip of the other suitor, Satan.” p. 103
“At any given moment, our children can sense whether we’re having a firsthand relationship with God, because long before children can read words they can read hearts. And romance happens because it comes through us from the Spirit of God.
A mother once told me she’ll never completely fill the “gaps” in her parenting. But she has realized they provide the opportunity for Christ to shine through so the child sees only Christ, not her failures. In truth, the “perfect” parent with no gaps is in a sense a Pharisee, not giving Christ an opportunity to shine.” p. 104
I am definitely feeling challenged through this book in many different aspects…my relationship with Christ, my parenting skills and how I need to ’Live the Larger Story’, and how I need to let Harrison be a little boy and be adventurous, and even encourage it, even though my being is saying “no”. Sometimes I feel like what I might consider a ‘motherly instinct’ is just a ‘girl instinct’, and in that case, who am I to know what Harrison needs? I am so glad that Kelly and I are in this together. Harrison needs Kelly just as much, and at times more, as he needs me. And overall, Harrison needs our unconditional love.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a good parenting book…I highly recommend this one.
Donna
June 23, 2008 | 9:29 am hI have heard so much about this book and although sometimes I think it’s too late for me (he is 16 now) I still want to make it count….I should read it, huh?!
thanks for the insight my friend!