Sprititual Parenting by C.H. Spurgeon

These are my own thoughts and ramblings. If you want to read something about the girls only...scroll down. I posted something earlier today.

Charles Spurgeon is a preacher who lived in the 1800s in England. Jeremy and I enjoy reading his sermons (however you almost have to read them outloud because it's a sort of Old English, Thee, Thou...). Anyway, I have a book he wrote called Spiritual Parenting. It is the Best parenting book I've ever read, and it doesn't even tell you how to discipline your kids! hahaha. I may never read another parenting book, because this one encourages me so much! In it reveals my deepest desires as a mom. I just got through reading a chapter entitled "Childhood and Holy Scriptures" I want to teach Nicole and Hannah The Word of God. I want to help them learn to hide His word in their heart through memorization and knowledge of the scriptures. Sometimes I get discouraged and wonder if they are to young. But, I believe they are not to young. I think the first few years of a child's life set the very foundation they will need to stand on the rest of their life. Nicole may not have scripture memorized yet, but I can repeat them and talk about them with her. Hannah may not even recognize her name yet, but through me constantly saying it, she will soon be able to...so why not the scriptures either?

I also believe that by discipling them early and teaching them to obey and to hear my voice (and Jeremy's too) that they will learn to obey and hear the voice of God as they grow older. I know that some people think that we are hard on Nicole, but we truly believe that a few years of setting standards and being consistent with our discipline will be what we need when more difficult times arise (aka...the teen years!!!!). Anyway...I was reading this chapter and was almost in tears from it because it just spoke to my heart in so many ways. I can't type the whole chapter because that would be to long (as this post probably already is). But...maybe I can share some key points/information.

"Babes receive impressions long before we are aware of the fact. During the first months of a child's life, he learns more than we imagine. He soon learns the love of his mother and his own dependence. If the mother is wise, he learns the meaning of obedienc and the necessity of yielding his will to a higher will. This may be the keynote of his whole future life. If the babe learns obedience and submission early, it may save a thousand tears from the child's eyes, and as many from the mother's heart. A special advantage is lost when even babyhood is left uncultrued." (emphasis mine)

"The Holy Scriptures may be learned by children as soon as they are capable of understanding anything. A remarkable fact, which I have heard asserted by many teachers, is that children learn to read from the Bible better than from any other book."

This is the BEST part.
"O dear mothers, please understand that you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God! He has in effect said unto you, "Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages" (Exodus2:9). You are called to equip the future man of God, that he may be "thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17. If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thouands, and you will have the sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the adult man to love his God and serve Him.
Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing think the reverse of what is true. Scarecely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship. However, dream not that she is lost to the work of the church. Far form it, she is doing the bes tpossible service for her Lord.
Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty. Christian women, by teaching children the holy Scriptures, are as much fulfilling their part for the Lord as Moses did in juding Israel, or Solomon in building the temple. "(Emphasis His)