Five Verses That Hit Differently When You're a Parent

Before I had kids, I read about Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac as a theological puzzle. Covenant, foreshadowing, the ram in the thicket — I understood the mechanics. I did not understand the story.

The first time I read it after my daughter was born, I had to put the book down.

Genesis 22 — Abraham and Isaac

The text says Abraham rose "early in the morning." He didn't argue. He didn't delay. He took his son and walked three days toward the mountain. Three days. That's a long time to hold that weight.

I'm not sure I understand obedience like that. But I understand the three days differently now.

Luke 15 — The Prodigal Son

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son."

The father was watching. That's what gets me now. He was watching the road. He had been watching the road.

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

This one keeps me up at night — in a good way, mostly. It's a reminder that the small things compound. The habits, the prayers, the conversations in the car. It's all going somewhere.

Matthew 18:3

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Watch a toddler encounter a puddle. Watch a four-year-old discover a caterpillar. That capacity for wonder, that complete unselfconscious delight — Jesus says that's the posture. I'm still working on it.

Parenting is exhausting and humbling and occasionally terrifying. It's also turned out to be one of the best theology classes I've ever taken.