It's official. School has begun. Sleepy children are forced out of bed and off to school. Frazzled parents who are fresh off the rush to buy school supplies are frustrated with the sleepy children.
The beginning of school brought to mind the best book I have ever read on parenting--Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. In it he points out that behavior is not the primary problem; rather, the god-ward or godless orientation of the heart is the real issue. He reminds parents of their God-given role of authority and pushes us to embrace biblical methods and goals of communication and correction. Here is a sample of a discussion of discipline:
While it is true that disciplined children are a joy to their parents . . . as God's agents you cannot discipline for mere matters of self-interest or personal convenience. Your correction must be tied to the principles and absolutes of the Word of God. The issues of discipline are issues of character development and honoring God. It is God's non-negotiable standard that fuels correction and discipline (page 39).
If you are a parent, buy this book. If you have bought the book, read it. If you have read it, apply it. You will not regret it.
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I totally wish some of my friends parents would read that book. lol :)
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