How To Biblically Parent a Child Who Identifies as LGBTQ (w/ Melinda Patrick) - Ep. 79
Biblically parenting a child who struggles in their sexuality requires resting on a bedrock foundation of truth while always operating in a spirit of love, humility, and surrender to Christ. We must never deny God’s truth, but a child struggling in this area must first be completely secure in their parents’ unconditional love. Focusing on the relationship is paramount. That relationship is secured by practicing unconditional love, the same love that God gives to us.
What can parents do to build a strong relationship with a child struggling in their sexuality? Incorporate this guidance:
*Commend your child’s courage for sharing their struggle with you.
*Express your unconditional love for your child. Say, “There is nothing you can think, say, or do that will change my love for you. I love you unconditionally, and so does God.”
*Pray fervently. Use the Word of God to pray over your child daily. (Find Scriptures to pray over you child HERE.)
*Listen. Listen. And when you’re done listening to your child.… listen some more.
*Humbly hold fast to Biblical truth on sexuality.
*Speak truth when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Don’t turn every conversation into a sermon. Instead, rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your communication.
*Walk in HUMILITY. The LGBTQ community has adopted PRIDE as their virtue, so we must walk in the opposite spirit.
*Model a surrendered life for your child.
*Model repentance for your child. You won’t parent your child perfectly, so when you mess up, tell them you are wrong and ask for forgiveness.
*Forgive yourself for your parenting mistakes and allow God to redeem them.
Catherine’s guest in this episode has been ministering to parents of children in the LGBTQ community for many years because she is one. Melinda Patrick is a mother of a same-sex attracted daughter who has embraced an LGBTQ identity and union. Melinda shares the successes and failures of this parenting journey, and her advice will bless, encourage, and convict us all.
Melinda Patrick’s bio: Melinda is the Director of Parent Support for His Wonderful Works and is host of The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child While Not Compromising Truth and The Even While Podcast: Living Well in the Midst of Waiting. Melinda has parented a same-sex attracted child for twelve years and is passionate about helping moms and dads build strong relationships with their children while not compromising truth.
RESOURCES MENTIONED/REFERENCED:
Melinda Patrick’s Website
Melinda Patrick’s email address: melinda@melindapatrick.org
Melinda Patrick’s Instagram Page
The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child Well While Not Compromising Truth
Catherine Segars email address: catherine@catherinesegars.com
Debbie Causey’s Website & Speaker bio
Renovus website
Greg & Lynn McDonald: Embracing the Journey
SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Matthew 11:28-30
John 8:31
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