Parenting - A Sacred Call to Selfless Love
Parenthood—whether by birth, adoption, or marriage—is not just a role; it’s a daily choice to give love, safety, and direction. To parent is to pour yourself into shaping another soul, not for your gain, but for their growth.
True parenting isn’t about receiving—it’s about giving. It’s about showing up with patience when it’s hard, offering guidance without controlling, and loving even through fear and fatigue. It’s nurturing a child’s worth so they grow up knowing they matter.
We break generational cycles not through perfection, but through humility—by confronting our wounds, embracing healing, and choosing to pass on something better than what we received.
You don’t have to parent alone. Seek community. Lean on faith. Ask for help. Healing your story may be the most powerful way to rewrite theirs.
Parenting is a legacy of love. Sow wisely—your investment lasts for generations.
I am blessed to have a husband who loves me and creates a safe environment for my children and me to flourish. Parenting with Rick is a partnership based on our gifts, not on what society expects or roles we are expected to play.
Sharing with you the video Alicia made for my birthday.
The Harner Family Mission Statement:
Our Home is a place where God is honored and worshiped. Every person has work, security, peace, and unconditional love and acceptance. Community is developed through understanding, discipline, honesty, respect, and fun. The older model values for the younger. Outsiders are welcome. We nurture individual gifts and potentials.
We compassionately serve others for the sake of Chirst. We resolve conflicts. We seek to grow in learning, in patience, in loyalty, and in perseverance. We stand against racism, classism, and other forms of oppression.
Rick, thank you for loving us so lavishly and your willingness to lay down your pride for us to win as a family. I am touched when you mentioned that, when you coached your wrestling team, you didn't abandon them for other teams who were winning most of the time. You remained faithful and loyal to your team until each one in your team became the best they could be." I see this principle in our home and in our homeschool - you build our Inchland volleyball team - throughout the years, until Our Kids-Our Team becomes amazing - because you believe first in us. Thank you for leading our home.
Your faith stretches my faith, and I am so thankful to journey through life with you. The video above tells a story of a husband who sees the good of his wife and live his faith before our eyes, inviting his children to join him in living our Family Mission Statement as a family called by God. We experience God's love, and so we can impact those around us in living grateful and generously investing in the building of other people's lives. Our family is not perfect - it is a lot of struggles - but joy inspires us to keep loving, serving, and sharing. Our home provides a safe space to grow, giving allowances for making mistakes, encouraging each other to accept the journey and the season of life with faith that the God who called is good and faithful.
Our children: Josie, Alicia, and Sophia, are very blessed to have you as their dad.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
