36 - Cultivating Joy & Wonder in Our Parenting (with Catherine Claire Larson)

In this episode, Graham interviews author and mom of 6 boys, Catherine Claire Larson, about her new & upcoming books and excellent thoughts on parenting. Catherine reminds us that parenting is both a responsibility and a joy and that the discipleship of our kids is absolutely critical work for the kingdom. Catherine is the author of two books, Waiting in Wonder: Growing in Faith While You're Expecting and As We Forgive. Her upcoming books will be Watching in Wonder (for moms of babies) and Walking in Wonder (for moms of toddlers).

In this episode, we cover:

Feeding on Jesus whenever and however you can - it can be difficult with small kids but is doable!
Raising boys to become spiritual leaders - helping them grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. See Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." Using this as a framework as we raise our children.
Ensuring we do not parent to the world's standards. See Mark 8:36: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (ESV).
Seeing motherhood as a "high and holy calling."
Recognizing the discipling our children as extremely important work.
How her books help expectant mothers grow spiritually themselves.
The importance of working on your marriage while you're expecting a baby.
How understanding the science and seeing God's handiwork in a baby creates wonder and awe and leads us to worship.
We have been entrusted with the apex of God's creation: humans.
How she and Mark are raising their boys to become "servant leaders."
Though there's no guarantee or formula for our kids coming to know Jesus, He calls us to be faithful in the job of parents. It's our responsibility but it's also our joy.
As parents, we're always a little bit a head of someone and a little bit behind someone. To whom much is given, much is expected. See Luke 12:48b: "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."
Cool things about what a baby knows about his/her mother from the pregnancy.

Resources:

Purchase Waiting in Wonder on Christian Book Distributors or Amazon.
Catherine has two more books coming, looking at the wondrous parts of a baby's development.
- Watching in Wonder (coming in March 2023) -- for moms with babies in the first year
- Walking in Wonder -- for moms of toddlers
You can follow and/or learn more about Catherine here:

Scriptures referenced:

Mark 8:36: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (ESV).
Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."

Music:

Intro: Life of a Traveler, by Black Rhomb (License #3565685)
Outtro: Avocado Street, by Wes Hutchinson (Courtesy of YouTube Music)

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