2 Corinthians 12 – Hundredfold Parenting?

Posted by Timothy

September 4, 2009

I received an inquiry from someone who takes cares of kids and deals with their parents. She was seeking parenting advice which, while isn’t the primary area of expertise, and there are definitely plenty of better, more targeted articles on parenting that are out there, I was up to the challenge!

Is living in accordance to a “hundredfold” life consistent with our understanding of good parenting?

After all, doesn’t it say to pursue Jesus above not only homes and fields but of our key relationships — brother, mother, father, wife, or children — to get back a hundredfold?

In fact, would anyone with their patience tested with the children they have want a “hundredfold”?

First, as I often say, “hundredfold” is metaphorical without limiting the literal when appropriate. There are some people who take such to heart Jesus call for the orphans and, in seeking Him first, probably do literally care for a hundredfold children. If anyone can provide “tips for parenting” it would be those people!

I have chosen to address where to experience hundredfold rather than a scarcity of time and patience drawing from the lessons found in Day 25, with the key verse from 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 “My power works best in your weakness.”

When we focus on what we don’t have and how overwhelming the children are, by definition, our mind and our heart will see all the shortfalls, all the gaps, and feel weak.

This often, deep down, disheartens parents so that frustration, self-doubt, even anger towards their children emerges. Nobody likes feeling weighed down with failure.

But let’s step back: according to this verse, our weaknesses or challenges, whether true battles like “thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me” or the broader application of our own weaknesses to handle challenges, our limited energy, attention, and patience, keep you from becoming proud.

Well, you may say, “I’ll take being proud over having these obnoxious, rowdy kids anyday!” Yes, but he says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

In your weakness, where is it you are weak? Define those and within that see how can God show up.

For example, some people’s weakness (actually the most people, which is why we spend an entire section on our thought-process in according to Scripture) focus on what is wrong with their children and expend energy.

If you draw on God’s strength, what does He do? While He does correct, He also does see the “workmanship” You are, the things that are good, forgives for all offenses, encourages when you stumble.

What if you incorporated that into your parenting, drawing on God’s strength instead of leaning into your weakness? Apply that into the life, when seeing a child doing, even just slightly, the very thing you wish they were doing all the time, shower them with encouragement in that moment, not shame.

Again, we could have a whole series on christian parenting, but I would start there to hundredfold: don’t spend time within your weakness, let God show you His strength in what to do, let Him show your the strengths He gave you, and know His grace is sufficient.

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