Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-230).

Papa God -- The hardest hurt of all -- The gold behind the guilt -- Seizing heaven -- Joy! -- Vicious vulnerability -- Burning love -- The glory behind the grime -- Walking on the wild side of parenting : the gift of extremely demanding children -- A very boring chapter in the Bible (that can change your life forever) -- Xerox R Us -- Sacrifice -- Leaving.

"Many books have been written about how to parent a child effectively, how to become a better parent, and how effective parenting produces better kids. But Sacred Parenting--the new book by Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage--delves into an entirely different reality: how parenting affects the parent. It explores the spiritual dynamics of parenting, and why caring for children is such an effective discipline in shaping our souls and forming the character of Christ within us. Thomas doesn't tell parents how to handle a chronically sick or rebellious child, but he does help parents find spiritual meaning behind the almost heroic care such children require.Because Sacred Parenting is not a 'how to' book, it openly admits the difficulties, struggles, and failures that often accompany parenting. And it goes on to show how God uses those trying and discouraging times to build up the parents who experience them. Parents of all children will be encouraged by the examples of how other men and women have successfully handled the challenges and occasional defeats of parenting, and will be inspired by stories that reaffirm the spiritual value of being a parent" -- Publisher description.