As a parent, I think about John the Baptist’s words of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

My children must increase. I must decrease. My life is no longer about me.

Surely there is nothing that does as good to the soul as to learn to serve and love another with the most unconditional love possible. And for most of us, caring for our own children is the best way to learn to love unconditionally. Was it that God designed parenting as a means to teach us of unconditional love?

One thing that I like to tell my children on a regular basis, partly as a way to build faith in them, and partly as a teaching of the way it should be, is that they will be better than me. They will grow up to be smarter than me. More spiritual. More capable. More incredible in every way.

As a young person we may harbor inner conflicts, competitions, envies and jealousies. Yet as we mature and start a family, we learn to put our children first. This can be tough at first, but soon the struggle is forgotten in light of true love.

I think I can finally say that I no longer wish for someone to have good – only as long as it’s not better than what I have. I truly wish for my children a better life and future than I could ever dream of. And I wish it for you too. And for all humanity.

How has parenting changed you for the better?