Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged

by Marty Machowski

In this uplifting and faith-strengthening devotional book for parents, best-selling children’s author Marty Machowski encourages parents in the midst of parenting trials. Full of Scripture, testimonies of faithful parents, and insightful meditations, Parenting First Aid equips parents to run to God and trust his ability to do what they can’t.

Parenting isn’t getting any easier, especially with the introduction of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality. This parenting resource is for weary parents overwhelmed with parenting, their children’s choices, and the culture that wars against their souls.

For parents with small struggles or weighty parenting trials—such as children involved with drugs, sexual sin, and teenage rebellion—Parenting First Aid is full of personal, real testimonies of God’s faithfulness to parents experiencing hardship.

The easy-to-use format provides parents with encouraging and faith-strengthening words to trust God in his work in the midst of family difficulty. While God does not promise happiness and ease in parenting, all parents can find comfort in God and peace beyond understanding through the Scriptures and meditations found in Parenting First Aid.

Genres: Parenting, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for more than twenty years. As leader of their children’s ministry, Promise Kingdom, he has worked for many years to develop curriculum and devotional material that connect church and home. His passion is equipping families to understand the Bible as one gospel story and help them share that with their children. He is the author of The Gospel Story for Kids series including Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God (OT); The Gospel Story Bible; and the Gospel Story Curriculum: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament and the forthcoming Old Story New (NT): Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and Gospel Story Curriculum: Following Jesus in the New Testament. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Theron John · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Parenting First Aid' is a devotional that shows that while parenting is not for the faint of heart, it is in parenting that God shows he is after the heart. It is a wonderful devotional for the heart of the parent. If you are a new parent looking for encouragement as you hope to raise a child in the Lord or if you are in the midst of this thing called parenting are longing to gain strength, then this book is what the doctor ordered to help you as a parent. Fight with faith in this battle of parenting and find encouragement in the heart of the gospel by getting a copy of 'Parenting First Aid' today.

See full review at: http://www.entrustedbygod.org/2018/11...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book "Parenting First Aid," Marty Machowski gives parents gospel hope and practical advice borne of his own experiences and struggles as a parent. He recounts a lesson the Lord gave him, "I don't want you parenting standing up; I want you parenting kneeling down." Machowski carries that theme throughout this gospel-rich book of devotions and testimonies, encouraging parents to lean in to the Lord in prayer and the Word.

Designed for parents to sit and savor, Machowski's "Parenting First Aid" draws upon Scripture to encourage and heal parent's hearts. He also uses true life parenting stories to help illustrate that often parenting is just as much about what God wants to do in the parents' hearts as it is about the children's hearts. A slower pace offers parents 4-5 months of contemplative growth in the Word. Questions, assignments, and journaling exercises help parents to explore God's Word more deeply and allow them to pen their own Scripture prayers for their children. Topics include God's sovereignty, His sufficiency, the power of His Word, how prayer brings peace, and more.

Here's just one example of the meaningful exercises Machowski includes: "Write out a prayer that declares, before God and all the forces of evil, your renewed commitment to insist that all your children go with you to the Promised Land. Ask God to deliver them from Egypt, a picture of the wicked bondage of sina dn the flesh. Pray this prayer the rest of the week."

This isn't just a book, it's an experience in God's Word that's sure to encourage the hearts of those who slowly, contemplatively, read, journal, pray, and rest in God's presence. Practical, biblical, inspiring and encouraging, this book is a must for Christian parents today.

Personally, I read the book quickly so I could review it. Now I'm going to reread it slowly, spending 4-5 months savoring the Word of God day-by-day and allowing the Spirit to use the Word and Machowski's insights to teach and transform me as a parent--and drawing encouragement from these gospel-rich devotions.

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a parent look for a Bible devotional concerning applications with parenting or maybe you are not a parent but you are looking for a devotional to give as a gift to a friend who is a Christian parent? If this describes you I recommend this book. I got this book since I know the publisher New Growth Press typically publish biblical and practical Christian living resources and this book definitely didn’t disappoint and is like the other titles they have: edifying, biblical and saturated with practical applications. The author himself acknowledge how he himself is weak and really need God’s help for parenting through God’s Word and hence the title of this book as “Parenting First Aid.” I appreciated the humility and vulnerability while reminding the readers to focus on God and being empowered by the Word of God and the Gospel.
The purpose of the book is to try to encourage Christian parents to continue to be biblical parents in the midst of parenting trials. I thought the author fulfilled the purpose of the book. A book focus of the subject matter is the children’s salvation and also parental heartbreak with a child’s rebellion or unbelief. I love the Gospel focus of the book and the priority of salvation versus other things such as concerns about the child’s financial wellbeing and material blessings.
The work consisted of twenty chapters with the format of an introduction, then three days’ worth of devotions followed by a section titled “Real Life” in which the author presents different individuals testimonies meant to encourage parents. Some of the stories under “Real Life” were really encouraging to read. For the devotional section of the chapter each one is based upon a verse which theme is titled and then the exposition which the author titled “Ponder Anew” followed by an application section titled “Bring It Home.” I really enjoyed the application section since the author uses application questions to drive the point home to the heart.
Some of passages the devotional looked include Psalm 127, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Lamentations 3, 1 Corinthians 1, Hebrews 12 and many others. Of the passages covered the ones I knew the least about was Isaiah 41 and Psalm 103 and I thought the author did a good job looking at the passage in context and illuminated it in terms of how it connects with parenting in its application. I do recommend this book.

[Lauren DuPrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a parent or expecting to be one at any point, I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Marty Machowski's latest devotion book, Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged. Often Christian parents succumb to the temptation to compare themselves to other parents who seem to have it all together. These other parents appear loving, joyful, and patient and their children, it seems, are walking with Lord and rarely tend to struggle. What I appreciate about Parenting First Aid is that Machowski confesses in the Introduction that although he is a pastor, even he has received calls to pick up his son from the police station. Although my daughter is only two and I have yet to experience such parenting difficulties, I instantly felt that Machowski has created a foundation for parents to trust him as he has experienced difficult parenting moments and survived because of the hope he has in Christ. Machowski is faithful to point parents to the goodness of God as our Father and to the hope we ultimately have in Christ, whether our children are His or not. Using various passages of Scripture, some that speak directly to parenting and some that don't, Machowski reminds parents to parent in a way that is Godly. There are also plenty of real parenting moments included in each chapter which I appreciated. Knowing that an older, Godly individual has walked this path ahead of me and has become more like Christ, as a result, gives me much hope. Regardless of what parenting season you are in, Parenting First Aid is for you. This is the type of book that spouses can read individually or together. Each devotion is the perfect length and provides questions to think about at the end. With a two year old, I am still fairly new to parenting. I haven't read too many parenting books but I must say that Parenting First Aid is certainly one of my favorites. 

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parenting First Aid, and its companion study guide, are aimed at coming alongside parents in the struggles of parenting children, whether easy or troubled. While based in a Christian mindset and with various Bible references spread throughout the pages, it is just as useful a guide for a non-Christian home to assist with a wayward child.

Each chapter brings practical ways to love our children right where they are and adds a story of a real family and the struggles they went through themselves. Nothing in these books comes from a position of seeming high and mighty; the author shares his own parenting struggles as well.

Whether you are struggling with raising your children in a Godly way, or if you just feel you could use a parenting refresher, both this book and the study guide are great resources to use and build your foundation upon.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that every parent will one day need to read – when things get hard. At that point, are you going to turn to God or are you going to try your own strength? Are you going to trust him and his good plans, or reject them when things seem to be falling apart? Machowski’s goal is to drive parents to scripture and prayer through all stages of parenting, especially in the challenges. If you’re struggling as a parent, there is much in here to remind you of the truths you already know but perhaps may have forgotten: God is sovereign, he loves your children, and he is working for good both in your heart and theirs.

[LeAnne Klopfenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, parents, you’ll be SO thankful to have this book!! Whether you have a week-old baby, or are in the midst of the hard & heavy, @martymachowski nails it on the head with his look at grace-filled, prayer-based, relying-fully-on-Christ parenting. Bathed in scripture and real life, it’s a balm for this mama’s soul. Getting myself a journal, and going to read it again as its intended devotional layout.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to write a positive review.

[Luke Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly genuine title that brings great encouragement to weary and worn out parents. Gospel-focussed, with deep biblical wisdom, this is definitely going to be a much recommended title for many years and seasons ahead. The deeply moving true stories of parents and children praying through the mess of life were often heart-wrenching, and I had tears in several parts of the book. The layout and system of a few readings each week is initially confusing, but pays off in long run. It’s a slow burn that has the most effect.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This devotional book on parenting is a wonderful resource for parents. Each chapter begins with a scripture and introduction then has daily scripture verses to meditate on that will be an encouragement. There are thoughts to ponder, then suggestions to help “bring it home”. You’ll be uplifted by the testimonies Machowski included and feel better equipped.

This would be a good devotional for any parent.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for all parents. The devotional sections will strengthen your faith for the challenging privilege of parenting the children God has entrusted to your care, and the personal parenting testimonies at the end of each chapter will bring encouragement to you that God is at work in even the most difficult of parenting situations.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For parents of any age child, including adult children. Much needed encouragement for parents who worry about their kids’ salvation and their choices. This was designed as a 20 week devotional, to be read 5 days a week (intro, days 1-3, “real life”) with questions for reflection, application, and further study. Very encouraging.

[Laura Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great big picture Gospel truths that we parents need to keep a proper perspective through our trials. The length of reading for each day is reasonable. The stories are helpful. And it's relevant for parents as their children get older too!

[Debbie Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devotional thoughts on scripture and related to parenting

[Hannah Grinestaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging, relatable, and a timely reminder that God is God and we are not.

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many parenting books and this one tops the charts. Really encouraging. Thank you