Devotions for Sacred Parenting: A Year of Weekly Devotions for Parents

As a pastor, I have read plenty of devotional books. This one, however, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe it is the stage we are in, but this is just a phenomenal book. I have given out about eight of them. I highly recommend it for any couple raising children.

Gary Thomas offers busy parents a year plan for renewal for your family. Understanding the heart of the home to be God's holy work unfolding within the heart of parents who need to be guided and cared for by our loving God, Thomas presents practical devotions for parents who may think they do not have enough time to pray or enjoy time with God. Down to earth yet deeply rooted in the great historical soil of classic Christianity, Thomas leads us deeper into what it means to raise children as a spiritual calling. For another recently published book on spiritual parenting, look into The Busy Family's Guide to Spirituality: Practical Lessons for Modern Living From the Monastic Tradition

The author truly lets you see parenting as it really is, with all the nuts and bolts on display. He doesn't mince words or pretty things up. Rather, as in his marriage books, he gives the message that it's hard but rewarding (kind of an Outward BOund of spirituality, if you will). His marriage book may have literally saved my marriage and since then I've recommended and purchased it for lots of friends -- his parenting books are very similar. They challenge you and force you to grow, as you are forced to acknowledge that we don't ultimately order our kids from catalogs so that they'll be pleasing to us, and that in some strange way, they are pleasing to GOd BECAUSE they challenge us, not DESPITE the fact that they do. I know that I have grown greatly from being a parent, and will continue to do so. It's nice to have this book as a companion on the journey.