More Than a Bumper Sticker: Honoring the Gift of Parenthood

In today’s culture, it’s become trendy to be edgy, funny, and sarcastic—especially when it comes to parenting. Just take a drive through any parking lot and you’ll see it: bumper stickers that say things like, “My kid’s a butthead,” or “Serving snacks and whoopin’ [expletive] since 2012.” For some, these are harmless jokes meant to get a laugh at a red light. But for those of us who take seriously the call of fatherhood and motherhood, there’s a deeper concern here—one that goes beyond a sticker.

Let’s be honest: parenting is tough. It’s filled with long nights, hard conversations, and more sacrifice than we ever expected. It can be exhausting and messy and yes—sometimes even comical. But that doesn’t make it something to mock. In fact, the Bible paints a very different picture of what it means to be a parent.

Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
Not a burden. Not an inconvenience. Not a joke. A reward.

As believers, we are called to steward our roles as mothers and fathers with reverence, not ridicule. When we slap stickers on our cars that belittle our kids or boast about dominating them with snacks and spankings, we’re not just trying to be funny—we’re sending a message. A message to our kids, to the watching world, and most importantly, to the God who entrusted these little lives to us.

Here’s what’s really at stake:

1. Our Words Reflect Our Heart

Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” The same applies to what we write, post, or stick on our bumpers. If our words consistently mock or minimize our children, it’s time to pause and ask—what’s going on in my heart?

2. Parenting Is Ministry

Every diaper changed, every tantrum endured, every bedtime story read—it all matters to God. Parenthood is a frontline ministry, shaping the next generation not just with our discipline, but with our affection, our example, and our words.

Colossians 3:21 warns, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
The world will already try to tear our kids down. They don’t need that coming from the people who are supposed to love them most.

3. Honor the Calling

Motherhood and fatherhood are not just jobs. They are sacred callings. The world may treat parenting like a punchline, but the church must treat it like the honor it truly is. This means guarding how we speak about our children in public and in private—choosing to build them up, not tear them down for a laugh.

Let’s be the kind of parents who use our platforms—our cars, our conversations, our social media—not to boast in sarcasm, but to honor God and the gift of raising children.

Let’s choose stickers (and speech) that reflect the truth:
“Raising warriors for Christ.”
“Grace and grit in every bedtime prayer.”
“Thankful for the chaos—because it came with tiny feet and big purpose.”

It’s not about being overly sensitive. It’s about being biblically serious about the roles we’ve been given. Because when God gives you a child, He’s not giving you a burden or a joke—He’s giving you a piece of His heart.

Let’s treat it that way.

Written with love and a firm reminder: parenting is no joke, and neither are the children God gave us.
#CherishTheGift #ChristianParenting #WordsMatter #StewardshipNotSarcasm