Book Review Written By Theresa Harvard Johnson
Author Mary Catherine R. Ard’is
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots. The other is wings. – Hodding Carter, Jr.
I don’t think there’s anything in the entire world more challenging, difficult and yet overwhelmingly rewarding and joyful as raising children. The buzz word in our modern century is parenting, but I still prefer the old school terms – rearing, training and raising up. For me, they connote a bygone era in which foundational, Christ-centered morals, ethics and beliefs had a tangible presence in our nation’s root system. Just thinking about the disintegration over the years is heart-wrenching.
Children, for the most part, are being reared by values published by the government, school system and pop culture. Yet, despite what we see happening around us prevalently; there are still families holding on to Father’s truth and hope.
In her book, “His Precious Cargo: Empowering Parents, Changing Generations,” author Mary Catherine R. Ard’is taps into that hope. She challenges parents to take hold of the most important assignment they will ever receive in their lifetimes: the call to care for, protect and teach our children whether biological, spiritual or adopted in the way of the Lord. With her life as mother shining as a backdrop, Ard’is reminds readers of the intensity of Father’s love for family; and his grand design to use families to raise joyous, healthy, and spiritually rooted children who are able to continue His legacy.
Ard’is draws from Holy Spirit life lessons to impress upon the reader the weight of the call to parent. As I read through the pages, I was constantly reminded of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
While this message is indeed nurturing and empowering in nature, it also brings conviction to parents concerning the role they play in their lives. After digging into the first couple of chapters, it becomes evident that it is the investment of the parent into the life of the child through prayer, time, patience and love that initiates the production of good fruit. That role, as Ard’is describes it in her own life, meant walking alongside her sons not only as a mother, but as an intense intercessor, faithful teacher and watchman even into their adult lives. She describes how the strength of her marriage – she and her husband coming together as one in the entire process – laid “the” foundation in which her children could be jointly loved, corrected, affirmed and blessed in their identity with the Lord.
His Precious Cargo identifies and targets children as having high value in the eyes of Father, value that is greater than anything else God has charged parents with in their lives. Readers come to see these precious souls as Father sees them, and breaking the veil that can often leave children as being viewed as burdens or insignificant in comparison to the adult life. Ard’is, however, takes every opportunity to impress upon parents just how valuable children are and the critical role they play in raising them. She lovingly and skillfully addresses some relevant topics such as:
- Properly naming our children. She admonishes us to listen for the name Father chooses for our children versus the name of a favorite actor, actress or one that a friend chooses. A child’s name, she notes, should convey an attribute of our Father that gives life.
- Being an example our children can follow. Ard’is talked about how her mother lived a Proverbs 31 life before her, and the impact it has had on her own life.
- Leaving Fruit that Remains. She further admonishes parents to do whatever is necessary to plant legacy producing seeds into their children that will reproduce for generations.
In addition to its rich wisdom, His Precious Cargo also includes prayers, declarations and scriptures to guide readers along their parenting journey. They will be comforted, encouraged, lovingly corrected and motivated by the clear and present love of a mother for her children; and the willingness to impart those spiritual lessons to others.
About the Author
Affectionately called the “PV31” (Proverbs 31) Lady by her husband of thirty three years, Mary Catherine is the mother of four adult sons, and a spiritual mother to many in the Kingdom of God. A former young and young adults ministry leader, she is now co-founder/president of Author and Finisher International, Inc. and His Pen, LLC.
About the Book
His Precious Cargo: Empowering Parents, Changing Generations
By Mary Catherine R. Ard’is
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv0uPqcT_Fc
Purchase: CLICK HERE
Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: HIS PEN LLC (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985200707
ISBN-13: 978-0985200701
Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
