Parenting advice is everywhere, and the philosophies are so numerous and different that they can easily overwhelm any parent. But there is one simple, yet profound parenting approach you can trust: raising your children with grace. It works because it's the way God parents us.

Here are some ways you can raise your children with grace:

• Let your confidence in Christ lead you. Don't follow your fears, or you'll become legalistic. Don't follow your culture, or you'll become too permissive. Instead, focus on God's strength to guide and help you as you raise your children. Remember Christ's sacrifice that made grace possible, and thank God for the many ways He has shown you grace. Decide to follow His parenting model when dealing with your own children. Remember that they (like you) will naturally struggle sometimes, but God loves them (and you) unconditionally.

• Remember that your children are gifts. Recognize them for the gifts they are, and realize that the hard work of parenting isn't a burden, but an awesome privilege.

• Strive to raise kids who are strong, not safe. Realize that no amount of effort can truly insulate your children from the harsh realities of our fallen world - and that God doesn't want you merely to try to protect them. Understand that the power to live a holy life doesn't come from things, but only from Christ Himself. Don't rely on a sanitized environment to bolster your children's faith, or your children will be prone to succumb to sin when they're inevitably exposed to it later. Instead, let them test their faith wherever God leads them, without fear holding them back from experiences God wants them to have to grow.

• Don't cheapen grace. Understand that real grace doesn't lower standards; it raises them. Boundaries and rules are compatible with grace, but they're presented in loving ways that make them much more likely to be received well. Rather than avoiding the truth, grace motivates people to embrace it by lovingly encouraging them to aim higher in their relationship with God.

• Meet your children's need for security by giving them love. Make sure your children don't have to compete for your love. Give your children plenty of time and attention, and be willing to make sacrifices in your career, with your friends, and with your hobbies so you can truly make your children a high priority. Don't make your kids feel like they have to earn your love. Make a decision with your will to always love your children, even when they disappoint you. Accept the fact that loving your kids will sometimes be inconvenient or painful. Be willing to love them regardless of the cost.

Accept your kids as they are, remembering that God created each of them uniquely for good purposes. Recognize what's a problem and what isn't, and be willing to let little things go. When one of your kids annoys you, ask yourself, "What difference does it make?" and only confront serious moral issues rather than personality quirks. Create a home environment that respects each family member's dignity by allowing them to air their opinions and concerns, giving them personal time and space, and encouraging them to use their talents.

Shower plenty of physical affection (like hugs and kisses) on your children. Pray with them regularly. Ask God to forgive you for the times you've fallen short in your efforts to love your children. Ask your children to forgive you for specific times you haven't treated them lovingly. Then rely more on God's help to give you the grace you need to keep growing in love.