We are partners with our children because we are just like them, dearly loved sinners.

Because we don't know the state of our children's souls, and because they might simply want to please us by praying to be saved, we must continue to give them the Law and encourage them to ask God for faith to believe that He is as good as He says He is.

The Lord teaches us of His grace and the Gospel through difficult children. We learn what it's like to love like He loved. It is there, in our personal upper room, where we learn to wash the feet of those that are betraying us. It is there, kneeling before our rebellious children, that the real power of God is demonstrated.

I did my best parenting by prayer. I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. It was actually quite relaxing.

God never encourages self-reliance.

I thought parenting was going to reveal my strengths, never realizing that God had ordained it to reveal my weaknesses.