With the addition of a baby three weeks ago, my wife Stacey and I have four girls four and under. Yep. Let's say that again. Slowly. So all the words sink in. Four. Girls. Four and under.

Don't get me wrong - we're very much at peace with our family configuration. In fact, most of you know the whole story, and you know it begins with almost a decade of infertility, followed by a flurry of births. For awhile there, we were feeling like the patron saints of barrenness - the sad couple trotted out to represent the childless masses. Now we're bordering on the type of family planning cautionary tale told in high school health class - careful: this could happen to you! Just walking down a hallway causes people to stare at us like we are a circus sideshow act (hey look - a video!).

We are absolutely floored by God's grace and provision. Not only did He answer our prayers (in His time, in His way) but He also gave us the strength, courage, and grace to make it through. Now that we are done (yes, done. Oh so very done!) having children, we are praying for the same strength, courage, grace and provision as we endeavor to raise four girls. Lately, my prayers could be summed up like this:

 Dear Jesus: Thanks for the kids. Now what?

 Let's be honest - I don't have a lot of practical parenting knowledge. I've read books and blogs and tried to steel myself for what's ahead, but most days, I have to admit that I'm learning by radar - bumping into walls to find the right path. And there seem to be a lot of experts out there who have it all worked out - "Five ways to make your child behave in public." "Six tricks for busy moms." There are formulas and behavior modification programs and step-by-step processes. But for most of us in the parenting trenches, things aren't always that simple, and "one size fits all" approaches usually don't fit.

One of the great things about following Jesus is that we don't have to rely only on human wisdom to navigate life. God has provided us with Scripture and with a community of faith to learn from and grow together with. I'm not a perfect father, but I have a perfect Father in Heaven. The way God parents us reveals the type of parents we should be. He deals with us personally, individually. And God's primary way of approaching us is not wrath, anger, or even control. It is grace. You could argue that the main premise of the entire story of Scripture is grace. We are fallen, broken, imperfect, sinful, disobedient, and separated. We are the Prodigal Son, running away, rejecting the Father. God is the Father who waits, watching down the road, ready to run to welcome us home, seeing us while we are still a long way off. Grace. As I write this, I am reminded of these words form Scripture:

"It is your kindness that leads to repentance."

"Perfect love casts out all fear."

It is also a great gift to be part of the family Jesus calls His Church. As we live life together and try to become more like Jesus, we strengthen each other. What a profound benefit it is to be raising kids together with so many other families at a church like Redwood Hills. We feel blessed have so many great examples of Christ-centered homes and healthy, vibrant families to look to as we muddle our way through this new phase of life. That's exactly what "being the church" is all about!

There are days when the screaming and crying and diapering and disciplining are all a bit overwhelming. And there are great challenges ahead to be sure (ponder with me: four girls in high school at one time. Four prom dates to put the fear of God into. Four weddings). But the God who has been faithful to bring our family from barrenness to fruitfulness knows what He is doing. He has entrusted to our care four of His very own, and we know He is faithful to finish what He has begun. If you're in the same journey, take heart. And while books and blogs and articles can all be helpful, you'll find lots of dilemmas that don't fit the pattern. Trust Jesus. Allow God's grace to be the foundation of your approach to raising your kids. And let's talk and pray and compare notes - we're in this together!

This Fall we'll be hosting a combination Book Study / Bible Study / Parent Support Group. We'll be working through a great, non-formula-driven book called "Grace-Based Parenting" by Dr. Tim Kimmel and sharing our parenting adventures. Stay tuned to the RHC website and Facebook page for details. One feature every week will be a chance to share your parenting "win" of the week as well as your parenting "fail" of the week. As a preview, I leave you with mine from this week:

WIN: Playing "tents" (basically blankets propped up on chairs) with the three older girls in our living room. Nothing soothes the soul like three giggling girls.

FAIL: Taking all four to the Picture People for photos at 7pm after a big dinner complete with dessert. That ill-fated adventure ended with complete meltdowns in the middle of the mall (post-sugar rush crash), one shoving match between the twins, Corinne's tearful demand "I want to go home right now!", and the insurmountable tragedy of a popped balloon. I should know better by now. But the pictures came out GREAT! How DO they do that?