Give Them Grace...A Book Review

Order your copy of Give Them Grace here.

I was recently at a book store with my family browsing the "Christian Spirituality" section to see if they had anything decent. I came across a few interesting titles. The first book promised me that if I "read this book and follow the simple principles, I'd have a new kid by Friday. Guaranteed!" Wow, now that's a big promise. The second book I found was claiming to be "magic" and teaches effective parenting in three straightforward steps.

What was stopping me from buying these books that promised better behavior for my kids and happier moments for me? Who would pass that up?

A few years back I had vowed never to read another parenting book again. I had read what I was going to read and was a very good student. I had followed the directions and clung to the promises. I had followed the "law" of parenting only to come out harsh, demanding and hopeless. Yes, my kids could sit in church, do a long list of chores and knew the answers to their shorter catechism questions but where were their hearts? Most importantly where was mine?

I was embarrassed and frustrated when my children would fail. I was despairing when I would fail. There was no room for grace on the strict list of what I thought a good parent or a well behaved child was. My outwardly compliant children were praised for being godly while my strong willed children were a source of endless disappointment.

As my life began to be shaped more and more by the gospel and I gained more freedom I was still clinging to a life of law filled parenting. I knew that something needed to change. How could I apply the principles of what excited me so much about the gospel to my parenting? I certainly couldn't tell my children that God still loved them even if they didn't obey. Or could I?

While I had just begun to think through these things I had heard that Jessica Thompson was to give a workshop on giving your kids grace. Hmmm...did that mean I should over look their disobedience? Was I not to be having any rules in the house? I was definitely interested in what she had to say.

Well, Jessica's workshop soon developed into the writing of a book with her mom Elyse Fitzpatrick and they have just released Give Them Grace...dazzling your kids with the love of Jesus.
Give Them Grace is not just another parenting book. There is no method, list of rules or promises for better kids. It is a simple, straight forward, biblical presentation of how the gospel is for parents and children as well.

As someone who can walk away from a conversation with the clerk at the grocery store wanting to try harder I can say that I don't feel this way upon reading or listening to what these ladies have to say. I'm not motivated to get started on becoming a better parent. I am encouraged to be reminded that I'm never going to get it right and that there is only one perfect parent (God) and one perfect son (Jesus). I am not filled with a false hope that if I "follow the proven program" then my children will be transformed. No. I am filled with the hope that all of the forgiveness, love and mercy that I have waiting for me at the foot of the cross is offered to my children as well. This changes the way I view my kids whether they are a little law breaker or law keeper.

Give Them Grace will encourage you as a parent by dazzling you with the love of Christ so that you can in turn dazzle your children. Good bye law centered guilt ridden parenting, hello freedom.

Now that you are dying to read this new book I'll tell you a secret. I have one copy of Give Them Grace signed by the authors to give away to one randomly picked reader.


The rules are easy. Just leave me a comment and tell me how you have found Christ in your chaos this week. Or if the baby is crying, the toddler is biting and your older kids are flinging their pencils at each other then just tell me that you want it. The winner will be announced this coming Monday, May 1st.

If you want to skip the nonsense of a contest all together you can pre-order the book from here.