trbccoffeebreak

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!” I John 1:9 (KJV)

Mother reached into the oven to pull out the rack, losing her grip. A “bad” word flew out of her mouth.  I was stunned, my mom never did that! I had tried the same word only a few days before, and the soap in my mouth reinforced the behavior she was hoping for: I would never say it again!

Without a doubt, we are not perfect parents, grandparents or guardians! Our children hurt us, break our hearts, or anger us. Facing a confrontation, I discussed several scenarios with my daughter.  With much more wisdom than her age she remarked, “Mom, be prepared to have every horrible thing you ever did brought up—it will be an attempt to divert the problem [from the sinner]!” She was right, and I knew it. We beat ourselves up, second guess our parenting, and examine every wrong past action when a child turns from God’s grace. Our sins march like soldiers across our memory, telling us we are a terrible parent. God spoke so clearly through this crisis: “I am a perfect parent, My child. Have you sinned? Does that make My parenting bad?” I knew it did not. If God Himself, the Perfect Parent, has children who willfully sin, how much more will we who are truly sinners?  Take comfort in this, as I am. Keep loving your child, and let God take control. It is His responsibility to convict, chastise, reprove, rebuke, and grant repentance. It is only ours to love, pray and allow God to be God.

“Dearest Father, truly You are a perfect parent and I am not! You are God, and I am not! I see so dimly, while You see all. Take our families, our loved ones, and our hearts, Lord, and work Your perfect will in each case, for Your glory—and Yours alone!”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend