Something old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

2014

Children are a gift from God. It is our job as the Bride of Christ to raise our children in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gave me this revelation as I raised my three children. I pray it helps you on your journey of parenting like it did for me.

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“​Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

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Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. This saying is usually associated with weddings, but it also makes for great parenting advice as well.

1. Something old​ – a parenting technique that your parents or grandparents used that works. We can learn from example.
   

2. Something new​ – a new parenting technique that you have found that works.
   

3. Something borrowed​ – a parenting technique from a friend or family member. Watching other parents is a great way to learn what you like and don’t like about their parenting styles.
   

4. Something blue​ – a parent's technique you have learned from the Bible or the acronym BLUE.

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B.L.U.E.

B​–BIBLE

Make sure your parenting lines up with the word of God.

L–LOVE

Love conquers all. Tell your children often how much you love them and why. Make it a point to show love and not just use words to express love. A hug or a kiss from a parent makes a world of a difference. Love no matter what! Make sure your child feels loved. Teach them about God's love and how he died on the cross for them.

U–USE

Use your life lines. Parenting is hard work! Use godly family and friends as sounding boards. Ask parenting questions and get Godly advice. Pray daily for direction on how to raise your children.

E​–ENCOURAGE

Encourage your children and build them up more than you discipline them. For every one thing you correct them for, tell them 10 things you love about them. Encourage yourself, too. If you mess up or have a bad day as a parent (we’ve all been there) be encouraged that tomorrow is another day. Ask forgiveness! Tell your children and God that you’re sorry and forget the past.

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No parent is perfect! No one has it figured all out. Once you think you have this parent thing down, your child will go through a new stage and it all will change. Be flexible as a parent. What works for one child won’t work for the others. Most of all, be a better parent tomorrow than you were today. Totally and completely depend on God to guide you as a parent. We don’t have this parent thing down or figured out, but I know a great and mighty Savior who does. With God’s help we can be awesome parents! Here are some amazing scripture references about parenting:

“​No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

“​Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.”

Ephesians 6:4 (GNT)

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

Colossians 3:21 (ESV)

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

“​Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

Proverbs 13:24 (ESV)