Now that our youngest daughter has gone off to college and left my wife and me as (mostly) empty-nesters, I sometimes wonder whether we provided our daughters with the parenting they will need to be spiritually healthy as young adults. I suppose most Christian parents engage in this thought process at some point. And, of course, like most parents, I look back and think of a thousand things I would do differently if I could go back in time given what I now know.

Back in the day when my children were of toddler age, and somewhat beyond, sippy cups played a very important role in that season of growth. I call these the sippy cup years of parenting. Within those years there is a vibrant spiritual truth waiting to flow into each of our lives.