A Book You Don’t Want to Read, But Will Be Glad You Did

As Christian parents it’s easy to feel like we’re in some kind of special club. Christian homeschooling parents may feel like we’re part of an even smaller club. That’s partially due to the fact that many people think we are crazy. (And, currently living in Taiwan, I mean they literally think I’m crazy. As in people keep mentioning the low-cost of psychiatric care here.)

I believe there’s also a temptation to think that maybe if we get the formula right our kids won’t have the problems we see on the evening news. And that’s why you should read Beautiful Nate by Dennis Mansfield. It’s heart-breaking. And it’s beautiful.

Inside you’ll find a story about a couple’s precious baby boy who grew into a charismatic young man. He had a Christian home, loving parents, incredible talent— and a drug problem that claimed his life far too early.

In the book Mansfield writes, “The change between little boy Nate and his adult version was almost too huge to comprehend.” He continues, “The years of childhood had clarity and order to them. His teen years only chaos, with slight, thin breaches of sanity, allowing us to peer in and see the Nate who really was.”

This is a reminder that our children are complicated and that someday they will make critical decisions far beyond our control. Mansfield also believes there’s something to be learned from his parenting journey. As a new father Mansfield says he decided to make “intentional parenting” a priority, “I would strive to parent with a purpose, studying the leaders of the day, finding out what it would take to produce a child who loved God and served Him all of his days.” Nate did become a young man passionate about some causes and in some ways had a beautiful relationship with his father.

Yet Mansfield believes, “Our goal of intentional parenting was immediately tainted with the weed seeds of child-centered parenting.” The distinctions Mansfield draws are subtle yet, critically important. More than yet another “how-to” parenting guide, this memoir is rich with hard-earned wisdom. It is not only a captivating story, but also an invitation to reflect on what matters most in our parenting journeys.

Note: This article contains a referral link, however I would not recommend a product I wouldn’t buy with my own money (and in this case did). The author of this book is also an acquaintance of mine which is why I initially was made aware of this book. Before reading this book I actually had no idea that Dennis could write, but his work speaks for itself.