Parenting: Getting It RightSample

DEVOTIONAL

In today’s clip, Andy Stanley shares the story of bringing his first child home from the hospital. Any parent who has ever done that knows how unnerving it can be. I don’t know how to care for a baby… What if I mess it up? What if I don’t do it right?

These are disquieting questions for any new parent. Fortunately, God welcomes disquieting questions.

In Psalm 13 David asks God some disquieting questions. In the first two verses alone, David asks God, “How long?” four times. Then in verse 3 he says boldly, “Look on me and answer!” You would think that a man who was talking with his creator should speak with quiet reverence, right?

Psalm 13 is a demonstration that God welcomes raw, emotional, honest conversations. It is an invitation to intimacy with God through prayer. We need not be afraid about being “too honest” with God. This Psalm shows us that plainspoken honesty is part of Christian prayer.

The goal is not to be irreverent for the sake of being irreverent. Nor is the goal to attempt to get away with something just because you can. The goal is to voice to God exactly what is burdening you—free from fear of judgment, free from the taboo of the subject, and free from beating around the bush with artificial platitudes.

No matter what your disquieting question may be, God is willing to listen to you. His love welcomes you to be authentic and unvarnished before him. God knows your heart and welcomes the hard conversation, even if your disquieting questions are directed at him.

REFLECTION

What is the disquieting question in your life today? It could be about parenting or something else.

Will you ask God your disquieting question? If the answer is “no,” then what would it take for you to feel like asking God your disquieting question?

Christian theologians believe that the Spirit of God “inspired” the writing of Scripture and directed the process of creating the Bible (canonization). That means this ancient Psalm with all of its direct, confrontational language toward God, was written and preserved by God. It’s like God saved an angry email for us to read a thousand years later. How does this shape your view of the character of God? Does this add to your understanding of his love?

PRAYER

Dear God, like Psalm 13 I want to ask you something: ___________? (Fill in this blank with something from your life. Be honest and unvarnished before your loving God.) Thank you for listening and for being open to an authentic relationship with me. I will wait patiently for your response. Help me to guide my child/children into an authentic relationship with you too. Amen.