If I Could Only Read One Book on Parenting

Parenting books abound.  From Dr. Phil to Dr. Dobson, you can find almost any topic addressing any kind of child in any circumstance.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  The blessing is having a wealth of information at our fingertips.  The curse is sorting through the mountain of information.

That reality makes me realize the weight of what I’m about to say.

If I could sort through the wealth of parenting advice and only read one book on parenting it would be The Blessing by Smalley and Trent.  They write,

Some people are driven toward workaholism as they search for the blessing they never received at home.  Always striving for acceptance, they never feel satisfied that they are measuring up.  Others get mired in withdrawal and apathy as they give up hope of ever truly being blessed.  Unfortunately, this withdrawal can become so severe that it can lead to chronic depression and even suicide.  For almost all children who miss out on their parents’ blessing, at some level this lack of acceptance sets off a lifelong search.

Smalley and Trent then describe five elements of the blessing, how parents are uniquely able to bless their children and ultimately how someone who has never received the blessing can give what he or she never received.

Sunday night at 5 pm I will present a one-time seminar on The Blessing.  Please join me.  You can sign up (just so we know space and child care needs) by emailing robin@graceforall.org.  We will meet in the main building.