Why Parenthood Is My Priority

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

The work you do as a mother or father surpasses the impact of the work you could do as an executive in a large company or as a leader of humanitarian work. No title from the world is as dear and important as that of mother or father—a title God has given us. This world does not always place the same value on parenthood that God places on it. In this blog post, I share inspiration and an experience I had years ago that changed my life.

How to Prioritize Parenthood:

  • Put away your phone—technology often steals time from our families.
  • Take care of yourself—when you are well rested, it is easier to take care of your family.
  • Cherish the moment—delight in your children’s laughter and small triumphs.
  • Pray—parenthood is truly a calling from God; rely on Him in times of need!
Mother and son together outdoors | The Good and the Beautiful

Parenthood: My Greatest Work

Today, several hundred thousand children will be impacted by The Good and the Beautiful. They will have their minds expanded. They will be led to love their family, to be kind, to find joy in nature, to choose books that are pure and powerful, and to see God around them in the world.

  • Father with two children sitting on a couch, smiling and laughing

  • The Good and the Beautiful is a great work. But it is not my greatest work. It’s not even close to the precious work I have done and continue to do as a mother. This is where the greatest work lies. In my opinion, the work you do as a mother or father—a role that God has given us—surpasses the impact of the work you could do as an executive in a large company or as a leader of humanitarian work.

    This world does not always hold the same value on parenthood that God holds for it. I learned a lesson about this before I had children when I was working as a technical writer.

A Heart-Wrenching Story

When I was 23, I was the manager of a technical writing department for a communications company. One day, I needed to ask one of the vice presidents a question.

As I approached his office, I heard soft sobbing sounds. To my surprise, I discovered that the crying was from the vice president, who had never seemed like an emotional man. He told me that he had just been let go. I told him I couldn’t believe it—he was one of the founders of the whole technology of the company and had been there for nearly 20 years. 

I will never forget the man’s words or the look of haunting regret in his face as he said, “I have given this company everything. I created this amazing technology that launched this company into success. I worked so hard. My work always came first, and, you know what, I suddenly regret it so much. I didn’t focus on what was truly important in my life, and now it’s too late for me to go back. My children are nearly grown. I don’t have the relationship with them that I could have had. I missed out on their lives. They never got the best of me; this company did. In one day everything I have given my life for is gone. It wasn’t lasting.”

Middle aged father at office desk with head in hands

“My children are nearly grown. I don’t have the relationship with them that I could have had. I missed out on their lives. They never got the best of me; this company did. In one day everything I have given my life for is gone. It wasn’t lasting.”

Misplaced Priorities and Regret

That was a true story. I’m sure I don’t remember all the details correctly, but I remember that the man’s words changed my life. I wish you could all feel what I felt as I saw the incredible pain and regret in that man’s face. I didn’t have any children at that time, but I made the decision then and there that my work would never interfere with motherhood being the top priority in my life. 

Work can be good. We can really impact the world through our job or through humanitarian work or community work. It is important that we use our time, gifts, and talents to bless people outside of our family. But God intends for us to keep the right balance, with parenthood being one of our highest responsibilities and blessings in life.

  • A family of four laying on the floor reading a book together | The Good and the Beautiful

Parenthood Should Be the Priority

Our world really has a lot of things upside down, and one of those is how important the work of parents is. Stephen Covey wrote something that I have copied into my personal quotebook: “While many of us might give lip service to the importance of parental responsibility, often we will give our prime energy, enthusiasm, time, and loyalty to our professions or occupations or to other good and worthy causes. We will approach our secular work with careful planning, using the best systems, keeping careful records, spending time to analyze the problems. But with the character development of our own children, we might go on day in and day out without any real analysis or planning or record keeping, without [an] intelligent system.”

“While many of us might give lip service to the importance of parental responsibility, often we will give our prime energy, enthusiasm, time, and loyalty to our professions or occupations or to other good and worthy causes.”

– Steven Covey

Parenthood Is Sacred

Parenthood is one of the most sacred and beautiful responsibilities and privileges that God has given to us on this earth. Part of The Good and the Beautiful’s mission is to protect the rights of parents to educate their children in truth and light. 

We also work to help protect the family by educating families on how unworthy literature can undermine and weaken individual children and family relationships, and how worthy literature can strengthen and build up family. Thank you for your support of our mission, and may you be blessed in your role of precious parenthood.

  • Father and young daughter reading a book together in a cozy room.

  • If you’d like to help your child embrace beautiful and worthy literature, check out The Good and the Beautiful Book List and The Good and the Beautiful Bookshop. 

Why Parenthood Is My Priority: Questions & Answers

Why should parenting be my priority?

Parenting is a sacred, God-given responsibility, brings joy and fulfillment like nothing else can. Through the nurturing of our children, we are accomplishing the most precious work possible.

How can I make parenting a priority?

Determine what you want to prioritize—is it parenting? If so, eliminate distractions and unnecessary to-dos, and find peace in the fact that you are pursuing your most important work.

Does God want me to be a parent?

Yes! The most important title God has given us is that of mother or father. Being a parent is a gift! Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

Which is more important: my job or my family?

The work you do as a mother or father surpasses the impact of the work you could do as an executive in a large company or as a leader of humanitarian work. Think about it: What brings you more joy—time spent with your children or time spent at your desk? What is of lasting importance—your relationships or your career?

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