Becoming a parent is such a special moment in our life. It’s truly one of the most sanctifying and humbling experiences we will go through. I know how easy it is to forget about who we are in Christ through the journey of parenthood. So I sat down and wrote my spiritual advice for new parents.
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily chaos and mundane tasks that are required of us. In the midst of sleepless nights, explosive diapers, and maybe even a fussy baby, it’s comforting to hear the words of those who have parented before us. There is so much we can be doing to nurture our little one’s relationship with Christ.
9 Practical Spiritual Tips for New Parents
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1. Stay firmly rooted in who Christ says you are.
When we aren’t anchored in Christ, we can be tossed about and swayed by the storms of life, exhaustion, and unsolicited opinions of others. We can start to believe what the world says we should be. Or how we should raise our children, instead of what God says. You are His, you are cared for, and you are seen. Never lose sight of that.
2. Time with the Lord is so important.
I might even go so far as to say it’s more important than showering. To stay anchored in who Christ says you are, you have to know what He says. I know this can be difficult.
As a mother, your time with the Lord will look different in each season. Find what works for you be it nap time, early morning, at night – but carve out time to sit with Lord, be in His word, and pray.
3. Find a community of fellow mommas.
This can be a life line on days when you feel like you are drowning. No one goes into parenthood with their eyes on the tough times. We all think about the cuddles, cute clothes, photo ops, firsts, and love we will shower on them. But in between and sometimes during the good times, there are rough seas. New parents need a community to be honest with, to ask for prayer from, and to share the journey with.
4. Get plugged into a church
The word says to not forsake the fellowship of believers and I really take that to heart. Having a new baby is a hard season to go out and about in, but if you only have one trip in you a week, I would encourage you to make it to church on Sundays. Once your baby is able to go into the nursery, you can have one hour to have your cup filled. Even when you just want to skip because you are tired or wanting to isolate yourself, go anyway. God will honor that.
5. Listen to Worship Music
Praise music lifts your spirits and turns your focus back to God, even on the worst of the worst days. No matter what the circumstances are play a little praise and worship in the background. This will remind you subconsciously to shift our focus from ourselves to God and His purpose for us.
6. Pour your heart out to God
He hears you and He cares. If you don’t want to talk to anyone else, or don’t think anyone will understand, talk to God.
Go to Him first. He understands exactly what you are going through and will help guide you towards what is good.
It’s easy to carry shame when our idea of motherhood is different than reality. God doesn’t want us to hold on to these burdens. We have to let go and let God control our circumstances. He will give us the peace and comfort that we are desperately searching for.
7. Ask for help
Whether that’s from your friends, family or a community of believers. You have to find your tribe… or your Home-Team as Shauna Niequist calls it.
These are the people you run to and believe in wholeheartedly. Don’t let pride or fear stop you from asking for help. If they are your Home-Team, they be more than willing to lend you hand.
8. Be Teachable.
You are likely to receive spiritual advice for new parents, medical advice for new parents, feeding advice for new parents, shopping advice, etc. There will be unsolicited advice for days. Don’t be offended, don’t get mad. Glean the good from the bad.
Take what will work for your family and what stays within your values and leave the rest. If you shut down all advice, you might miss something really great that resonates with you. When someone gives you advice you know you won’t use, just thank them anyway and then let it go.
9. Don’t underestimate the value of the small daily things you do.
Parenthood is made up of a million tiny moments. It is easy to think it doesn’t matter. That we are “just” doing the laundry, or “just” kissing a booboo, or “just” rocking the baby. But what you do for your children is never “just” anything.
Parents do kingdom work everyday. Loving our children and pointing them to Jesus in the everyday monotony of life, is big. So the next time you wipe a nose or change a diaper, remember that you were chosen to be this child’s parent and this is pleasing to God.
Bible Verses for New Parents to Live By
Being rooted in the scriptures is the key to always knowing whose we are and what He did for us. His word keeps us focused on God and not on ourselves. We desperately need that in this phase of life. We tend to get bogged down with the needs of our children and spouse. Which can lead to feeling overwhelmed and alone. This is simply not true. I would like to share some of my favorite Bible verses that always help me in the midst of all my parenting days.
Psalm 34:8-10
"Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints,
for there is no lack with those who fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,
but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing."
Psalm 90:14
"Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."
Isaiah 30: 21
"and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
While these verses do not speak directly to parenting, they speak to our lives in general. They speak to the heart of the believer and bathe our minds with truth. How comforting to know that the Lord is with us directing our steps? Or that we can have joy and be glad even on our hardest parenting days? Or the truth that the Lord is good?
When there is no sleep to be had, the Lord is good. When you feel like you are failing as a parent in every aspect, the Lord directs your steps. And when the baby seems to cry all of the time, we can sing to the Lord with joy because His love is unfailing.
Wrap Up..
I love that God tells us “This is the way, walk in it.” He directs us and if we ask and listen, He will make the path clear. As you settle in to this exciting season of becoming a parent, I want to encourage you to take joy in it. Joy is not necessarily happiness. We don’t have to be happy that our baby isn’t sleeping to have joy in the miracle that is our child.
I hope the tips above give you hope, joy, and perspective. I pray that they will help you take the steps needed to anchor your life and your parenting in Christ. Make time with the Lord a priority in your life, and sing praises to him even when you are in a valley. Find a tribe, go to church, and don’t be afraid to ask for help while remaining teachable. And finally, dear fellow parents, always pour out your heart to God, and know that what you do is no small thing.
God sees you, knows you, loves you, and will be your provision in your lowest valleys and highest mountains. Parenting is hard but God will sustain you. Parents, you are doing great, you are blessed.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. So you can pin it to your Baby Board!!
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