Priesthood of Parents
Mom & Dad, do you know you’re the priest of your family? Your children form their first understanding of God based on their interactions with you.
I’ll give you a moment to recover from that staggering thought.
The priest, in any belief system, is the representative of the god to the people and the people to their god. I’m using small ‘g’ on purpose because I’m thinking of bush tribes and witchdoctors, the Ayatollah and Jim Jones (or David Koresh). The priest is the conduit of all information, affirmation, and consternation… the arbiter of good and the punisher of evil.
In your household, your tribe of brand-new humans, you – mom and dad – are that representative.
Does God smile when He looks upon me, or does He frown and sigh? Did He create me to be a treasure and a jewel, a unique sculpture with a complimentary flourish? Or am I a malformed piece of cookie dough that should be thrown to the dogs, or in the trash?
The good news is, God will arrange to represent Himself through other people, eventually. But how much better, how much healthier, if He could be represented well through the priesthood He set up: Parents.
When your baby sees your face smiling, the world is a good place and s/he is welcome in it. Now consider the other facial expressions and the interpretations your baby might attach to them… stress, frustration, overwhelm… We are merely humans, God knows that, and your child will figure it out at some point. But for the first life season, your expressions tell your child what God must be like.
Is God pleased with my efforts, or am I in competition with others? Does He take joy in what I can do and encourage growth in that area, or does He demand that I catch up & keep up with everyone around me? Is it ok that I like art more than sports, or sports more than academics? Is it ok that my legs and feet simply won’t coordinate for speed, or for ballet?? Am I still pleasing Him? In this life season, your expressions tell your child what God must be like.
And it’s here, in these formative years, that your Deaf child will answer the most important question of their life: Can I connect with God?
There’s an ongoing debate about whether Deaf children should be allowed/encouraged to use their hands for communication. If you enjoy political intrigue, research the Milan Conference of 1880. Educators worldwide gathered to discuss Deaf children, and this question was on the docket. The decision and its ripple effects were the subject of a worldwide apology from this body in 2010. The U.S. is lagging somewhat.
While we’re well aware that spoken language is the primary communication in the world outside your front door, let’s take a moment to focus on the sanctuary of your home. Home is where you teach your children that pants go on the bottom, shirts on the top, and both should be in place before they go outside. Home is where they learn that food goes in the mouth and spoons are useful for success. Home is where you teach your children that things have names and it’s possible to express thoughts clearly from one mind to another and get feedback – affirmation, correction, information. Home is where your children learn whether you desire to connect with them, or whether it’s a bother for you both. And as representatives of God to your children, they’ll decide whether they can connect with Him based on how they connect with you.
This is why we at Silent Blessings strongly encourage using sign language early and often. It’s a real language, it can convey any thought (often better than spoken language), and it shows the child who cannot hear you that they are just as precious to you, and to God, as every other mother’s child.
You are the priest in your home, and we want to support you in representing God well, especially while your children are forming their understanding of His love for them.