“Look to your heavenly Father for wisdom and comfort, and as an example of how to love your child.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 21, 2026
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
Healthy parenting requires ongoing practice, not in a relational vacuum but through conversations with other parents. Last night was our monthly gathering of sons-in-law for Mexican food and a movie. There were four of us, since one son-in-law was still recovering from a nasty bout of the flu. After reviewing the day’s and weekend’s events, we had a deep discussion about parenting at the request of the youngest dad. Specifically, he asked how to help his eight-year-old son be competitive in sports without acting as if winning is everything. The two other dads, who have older sons, shared helpful ideas from their trial-and-error experiences. “Encourage your son to become the best version of himself when he’s on a team or playing a game. Focus on being your best and supporting your teammates to be their best.” Great words to grow humble hearts. I loved how their advice was less prescriptive and more descriptive, allowing customization to the situation. What are some healthy parenting practices?
Paul’s defense in 1 Thessalonians 2 reveals something stunning about spiritual leadership and parenting. Forced to flee Thessalonica amid persecution, he faced critics who accused him of being a spiritual con artist, chasing money and glory before abandoning his converts. His response? He didn’t argue theology. He appealed to their shared history, reminding them that he loved them like family, not as clients or followers but as his own children. Notice Paul’s dual approach. He described himself as “a nursing mother” (verse 7)—gentle, affectionate, and sacrificial. Pure nurture. Then he shifts to the father role in verses 11-12, revealing a different dimension of parental love: intentional direction and development. Healthy parenting is tough and tender.
Parenting today often swings between extremes—either all nurture (never correcting, always appeasing) or all direction (demanding performance, withholding affection). Paul models balance. Be the nurturing mother and the intentional father. Comfort and challenge. Affirm and urge. Your children need your tenderness when they’re wounded and your strength when they’re wandering. They need you to call them to your side when they want to quit, console them through doubt, and charge them toward lives that honor God. Don’t just feed your kids. Form them. Don’t just meet their immediate needs. Mentor them toward their ultimate calling. Parenting isn’t just about raising happy children; it’s about raising children worthy of the God who called them into His kingdom. That’s extreme love: the kind that combines a mother’s gentleness with a father’s directional strength, always aiming at transformation, not just comfort.
Look to your heavenly Father for wisdom and comfort, and as an example of how to love your child. He models perfect parenting: encouraging you when you stumble, comforting you through every failure, and urging you toward holiness while never withdrawing His love. Watch how He fathers you, then mirror that generous love with your own children. He nurtures and directs. He affirms and challenges. He’s patient with your process while calling you higher. Let His example shape yours, remembering that you can’t give what you haven’t first received from Him.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3).
Prayer
Father, grant me wisdom and patience to lead my children. Help me encourage and comfort them, guiding their hearts toward truth. Let my love reflect Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
What parenting skill can you look for and learn from a mentor?
Related Reading
Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21
Worship Resource
Anne Wilson & Lainey Wilson: Praying Woman
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