Parenting is essential to a child’s development. Not only is the concept of parenting important, but I’ve seen that the role of Christian parenting is so much more rewarding. I’ve never been a parent, but hearing the countless lectures and stories of the struggles from my parents, I feel like I have a good idea. As the wise woman who birthed me always says, “You never truly stop being a parent." Even when I am 40 years old, my parents will still be giving me advice and helping me through life. Not only is parenting challenging, but Christian parenting can be even more difficult. Not only are Christian parents helping us through life and making sure we are progressing, but they are also leading us to Christ and teaching lifelong values and morals. There is a lot more that goes into it than we as children realize. So here's to those Christian parents that are raising children through lots of prayer, encouragement and faith.

Thank you to the Christian parents that raised (and still are raising) me, constantly leading me to Christ and making sure I develop a relationship with Him. There is nothing that I cherish more than my relationship with Christ, and I wouldn’t have it if you as parents did not teach me. Thank you for constantly showing me that I am a child of God. Life can be hard, and the constant reminder that I am beautiful and loved by the Creator helped me develop a deeper understanding of His love. Thank you for the countless hours you have listened to my problems and thank you for always being the ones to come up with solutions. Thank you for showing me Christ’s love the way you always put me and my needs before your own, and sacrificing more time and money than I realize. I know I have not been easy to deal with (especially during those teenage years), but you have set me on a path that has a promising future. Thank you for pushing me in my education and making sure that I always have the best opportunities. Thank you for teaching me the right friends to have and the right people to hang around. Thank you for showing me Christ’s love to each other, and being a prime example for what my marriage should look like. With that being said, thank you for showing me the right guys to date and teaching me the right way to go about a relationship and how to date someone properly. Thank you for giving me morals and values to follow throughout my life. Thank you for giving me the confidence I have in Christ as His creation. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I know it has not been easy and I know you have been worried, disappointed, angry, and hurt sometimes, but thank you for never giving up on me.

While it has not been a walk in the park being a Christian parent in a messed up world, thank you for doing the best you can and raising me right. Although it could’ve been easier letting me do whatever I wanted and learning from all my screw-ups, thank you for teaching me some of it before I fell on my face. You are truly such a blessing. I thank God for giving you to me.