Perhaps you are a first-generation Christian and didn’t grow up in a Christian family. Or maybe your family was dysfunctional. How do you pioneer
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Will I repeat my parents’ mistakes?
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How will I parent if I’ve had no positive, godly example?
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Why, when I read Christian parenting books, do I feel like the author can’t relate to me?
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How do I protect my children from possible
a new path and create a truly Christian
negative influence of my parents without
home for your children? Mary E.
harming their relationship?
DeMuth shares her experience.
As a Pioneer Parent, these questions have swirled around in my paranoid head ever since I birthed
MOST PARENTS want to create an environment
my first child. Thirteen years later, sometimes
where their children feel safe. Yet you may have
they still haunt me. How do we break free from
grown up in a place where fear reigned. Or perhaps
harmful parenting patterns? How do we build a
it was rage. Or violence. Or an obsession with
Christian foundation in our homes if we’ve had
body fat. We all come from dysfunctional families,
no example? How do we make our home a haven
because all families are made up of sinners. But there
for our children?
are degrees of dysfunction, and chances are, you or someone you love grew up in a
The one safe place
threatening environment. You may
To pioneer a safe, loving place for
be haunted by the fear that you will parent your children the way you were parented. Are you a pioneer parent? Pioneer Parents are those who don’t
We need to realise that outside of our relationship with Jesus Christ, there is no safe place.
our children, we need to realise that outside of our relationship with Jesus Christ, there is no safe place. This world is racked with terrorism, child abductions, drug abuse, suicide, and a host of other malevolent
want to duplicate the homes they
forces. Jesus said, “In the world you
were raised in. They share many
have tribulation, but take courage;
common traits, the most common being fear. They
I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NASB).
ask themselves questions like:
The only safe place isn’t a location but a Person:
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Will the hurtful words my parents said to me
Jesus. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the
fly out of my mouth in a moment of anger?
righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
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