I recently had the privilege of being a hostess of a baby shower for a couple who are dear friends of mine. The other hostess and I chose a “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” theme, and I shared with them these habits they should develop so they could be star parents.
The responsibility God gives us as parents to nurture, love, train, and bring up our children is a heavy but oh, so joyful one.
- Time in the Word and Prayer:
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
When the nights are short and the laundry piles are high, it is oh so tempting to put off time with the Lord. Don’t do it. God’s word and time in prayer are the tools that will equip you to raise your baby in the Lord and the tools you will use to train up your child. Get to know the scriptures and commit them to your heart. Talk about them and make them a part of the culture of your home and family.
- Gratitude
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks in all circumstances. There will be days of immeasurable joy. There will also be days that are long and hard when it seems like everything that could go wrong has. Thank God for the good. Find something good in the bad no matter how small and thank God for it. Doing so will multiply your joy and model an important act of worship for your child.
- Selflessness
Parenting most certainly exposes my selfishness, but God has called us to be selfless.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3”
New babies need you for everything. You will find that you are giving of yourself over and over again as a parent. Even as your baby grows, you will still need to choose to lay down your desires and choose what is best for others in your family.
- Intentionality
“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” Psalm 90:12
We each get 936 weeks between birth and when our little baby turns 18. Only 936. And when one is gone, we can’t get it back. How will you spend them? Be intentional and diligent about imparting truth, making memories, and building your relationship with your child.
- Love
“And above all of these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14
The love you have for this baby will absolutely explode when you meet face to face. Sometimes you will gaze at your baby’s face and your heart with almost hurt with the love you feel. And then sometimes love will be the action that changes the third outfit of the day before you’ve had your shower or the 3:57 wake up because baby’s tummy is upset.
No matter what, always show each other and your child unconditional love; after all that’s how God loves us.
How are you doing with these five habits? What other habits would you advise new parents to develop in themselves so they could be star parents?
