Every child wants to be part of a GREAT family. But the only way your kids will be able to have a great family is if you make that reality happen for them. That’s where USS Parenting can be a wonderful resource for you. What you will find here is common-sense advice and counsel that is based upon the timeless biblical principles. So today is part 2 of why we named this site – USS Parenting. If you missed Part 1, you can read it here. Every ship displaces water in its challenge to stay afloat. So long as there aren’t any leaks, it does so effortlessly. Venturing out on a long journey without proper provisions always leads to hardships, casualties, and calamity. We seldom recognize the depth of the ocean beneath us unless circumstances compel us to go look below the ocean’s surface. Ocean storms can usually be predicted while they are still far off and avoided if the ship’s crew is skilled and knowledgeable. Even with the best forecasting, sometimes a tsunami can go undetected until it is upon us.
Leaks can occur when the ship is thrown up against a rocky shore (uncaring attitudes, dishonesty, selfishness), or when its hull is not properly maintained and looked after. The ship can take on water rapidly if a crew member inadvertently or intentionally leaves a hatch-door unsecured (unfaithfulness, addictions like drugs or alcohol, pornography). To leave a leak unchecked, free at will to invite water inside the hull, guarantees that the vessel will eventually sink.
Just as a sea voyage across the Pacific requires proper provisions with food, water, fuel, and other suitable supplies, a successful journey through this thing called parenting requires its own special kind of provisions too. Some of the provisions that you need for your journey are discussed here.
Our ship protects us from the mighty depths of the ocean, whether the bottom be a mere 20 feet below or 10,000 feet below. And so it is with life.
The seasons and the geography where ocean storms most frequent are well known, and so it is with families and parenting. To ignore the warning signs or purposely venture into a coming storm unprepared always leads to consequences.
Parenting is far from a perfect science. Parents can genuinely be the most outstanding Mom and Dad and still have a child who goes off course. It is the story of the Prodigal Son from the Gospels. Our aim as parents should be to do our very best, following the guidelines and precepts laid down in the Bible so that regardless of what happens, we can stand guiltless before our spouse, our children, and before our God.
Once you set sail on your journey, there is no turning back.
Once you have brought a child into this world, you will forever be their Mom or Dad. For some amazing and mysterious reason, the God who created this universe and everything in it has given us frail and imperfect creatures the ability to create other living souls that will live forever.
The young inexperienced crew of a new ship would be utterly foolish not to take every opportunity to learn from the seamanship and the proven experience of the successful crews that have gone before them.
There have been many jubilant and successful ocean voyages before you. There is no problem facing you today that others have not toiled with in the past. Don’t be the lost husband or wife who refuses to ask for directions out of pride or too much self-reliance. We all need a trustworthy GPS system so that we know where we are and where we are headed.
Welcome Aboard the USS Parenting!
