The band was talking this morning about forgiveness. Well, about God as a pardoner to be specific. We talked about how difficult it is to rest in our forgiveness. It seems like everything in us rebels against that idea. But I started thinking about my kids. When my kids make a mistake, it does not damage our relationship. I don’t ever think, “I’m not sure I can forgive them one more time.” I may be sad or even frustrated, but it’s a momentary passing thing. When the tantrum is over, I am not angry. I am glad, grateful that the moment has passed and that we can journey once again into the joys of our relationship. I do not count the mistakes they make. I live in the pleasure of our family that brings such joy all of the rest of the time. I do not let the 5% damage the 95%. Or even when the percentages change. I love my kids. That is the overriding basis of our relationship. I enjoy them. I want what is best for them.
And if I who am evil know how to do what is good for my children, how much more will our Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Todd
I don’t have children yet. however, I do find myself stating these same words to my parents, “how much more our father in heaven wants the best for us”. I must admit I just ran into your music on youtube, I used to be able to listen to most christian music on Trinity radio station, in Miami, Florida, it was 89.7 however when they aired off the radio,if thats how you call that, I don’t listen to as much christian music as I used, unless I play it on like, you tube think fsome songs I can remember or I buy the cd. Looking forward to more of your music now that i found you. I Forgiveness is daily state of mind, you think it pray about it and oneday it just happens.
Amen…God’s love is awesome, and the love He gives us for our kids is sustainable…it doesn’t run out..! Lol…Todd, I had a very simple word for you back in June I think when you where at a Ardmore church, I didn’t see you after the concert and still would like to give it…if you don’t mind, what is the best way to do that? By the way, I just listened to a wonderful song called, “Our Great God,” and it takes me back to a time when I first heard it…it was on a cruise that the Lord worked out for me and my youngest daughter…quite a miracle that we would even get to go…and what a blessing it was…I can still feel the atmosphere in that place as this song was busted out and played…it was awesome and it brings me to tears even now…praise God, He IS a miracle working God!!! Lol!
Nice! I’ve always said that becoming a parent taught me a lot about how God relates to us.
Don’t have kids of my own, but I have students. Forgiveness works the same way with them.
Absolutely, I believe that is his point in giving us families or else how else could we get it!
Isn’t that amazing. My children are adults now and yet I am still learning how to love them the way God loves me. It is a continual bath of healing, restoration and growth. The best thing I ever received from my children was their forgiveness for all my faults, flaws and failures….
That’s all there is to it! I’m also very thankful that my kids can forgive me and still love me when I have a tantrum!
There is NOTHING I could not forgive my kids for. That said, now that my kids are 18 and 20, there was an instance where trust was broken by one of them, and I was devestated for a while. Though there was immediate forgiveness, there was still hurt, and the path to total restoration took some time and some work to build back trust. That is because I am an imperfect human too.
Sometimes I think we take God’s forgiveness for granted. We think we can do whatever we want, and know He will forgive us. We don’t think about how badly we might hurt His heart. I really think about that now.
Very good thoughts; we learn so much from our kids, and from being married. Both grow and stretch us in ways we’d never imagine.
Donna, you have a great point; my kids are quick to forgive me too, even when I’m being a jerk about something.
Welcome to parenthood…God is Good!