Parenting as a God-Given Assignment: My Journey of Faith and Fatherhood

Parenting as a God-Given Assignment: My Journey of Faith and Fatherhood

As a young parent, I took the role of raising my children very seriously. I dearly loved them and wanted what was best for them (This never changes). This responsibility became even more profound as leaned into my Christian faith and committed my life to living in alignment with God’s word. Parenting was no longer just my duty; it was an assignment from God.

I truly believe God gave my wife and me our children, Tracy and Travis, as a sacred trust. They were God’s gift to us and we dedicated them back to Him. We felt called to raise them in a Christian home, instilling values and guiding them according to the principles of the Bible. This wasn’t just about providing food, shelter, and education—it was about shaping their character and helping them grow into well-balanced, independent adults who could make decisions rooted in faith and wisdom.

The Journey of Parenting

From the moment I embraced this assignment, I viewed parenting as a journey of progression. It wasn’t simply about getting them to a specific age like 18 or 21. To me, the goal was to guide them until they became adults—not just legally, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

This journey involved shepherding them through every stage of life:

• From babies, wholly dependent on us for everything, to grade-school kids curious about the world.

• From the challenges of the teenage years to young adulthood, where they began to carve out their own identity.

Throughout, I aimed to nurture their ability to think for themselves, and be free from undue influence, and to stand firm in what they believed. My intention was for  them to follow Jesus Christ and put their trust in God just as I have. That choice, however, would be theirs to make. That was my assignment. 

The Role of Faith in Parenting

What grounded me in this assignment was my relationship with God. I saw raising my children as an act of obedience to Him—a direct response to what I believe He spoke to my heart. I leaned on scripture, prayer, and Christian principles to navigate the inevitable challenges of parenting. I also saw examples of Godly parents around me that influenced me. 

Sure, I made mistakes and hopefully, I learned from them.There were moments of frustration, doubt, and worry. But my faith reminded me that I wasn’t doing this alone. God had entrusted me with this task, and He was with me every step of the way.

The Reward of the Assignment

Now, as I look back, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. My children are living lives that reflect the lessons and values we worked so hard to impart. They’re independent, thoughtful, and grounded. For me, this isn’t just a testament to our efforts as parents but to God’s faithfulness in helping us carry out this assignment.

Encouragement for Other Parents

To parents reading this, I want to encourage you to approach your role with intentionality and faith. Whether or not you view it through the lens of religion, parenting is a profound responsibility and privilege. It’s about more than raising children—it’s about preparing them for adulthood, equipping them to make their own choices, and guiding them to be strong, independent individuals.

For me, viewing parenting as an assignment from God gave me the purpose and direction I needed to stay the course. I hope sharing my story inspires you to embrace your own parenting journey with love, faith, and commitment.

After all, the greatest legacy we can leave is the lives we’ve helped shape.

“Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬