I sat down, pulled my daughter close, and sternly informed her that she could not get by with what she had just done. I was firm. Decisive. I was nipping this in the bud. I don't remember how long the lecture lasted, but I do remember how it ended.
With tears in her eyes and hurt in her voice she blurted, "But, Mommy, you do it!"
I didn't respond right away and, when I did, it was with shame and humility. "You're right," I said, "I do. But I'm going to ask Jesus to forgive me and to help me never to do it again."
Ouch. Am I the only parent to whom that has happened?
How is it that we can so readily see the faults and failures in our children that need to be worked on, but can't see the same in ourselves?
God has many ways of showing us ourselves. He knows just how to bring us down a notch or two. He does it all for our good, of course, though the process is humbling...even humiliating...at times. Are we willing for Him to do just that? To cause us to really see ourselves as He does? We must be willing. Even if it hurts.
"Lord, I do want you to reveal areas in my life on which I need to work. Refine me, even if the process is painful. Keep me humble even when it hurts! For only when I am truly humble before You can I be used to bring You glory. Amen."
"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still."
Have Thine Own Way, Lord, by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907
No, you're not the only parent that has happened to. It happens to all of us at one time or another. Its God's way of teaching us that our children will do what we do, so we definitely need to try and behave! LOL. But, when we do mess up, we need to show our children that we are sorry and ask for forgiveness. They will pick up on that, too. Good job, Mama!
ReplyDeleteI've had to apologize many times to my kids already! It's amazing how much having children teaches you about your own attitudes and behaviors! I think part of being a good Mom is being humble enough to admit that you, too are under authority...God's authority!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria! And you're so right. Children keep us on our toes, don't they? :)
ReplyDeleteHannah, it's true! Sometimes I think we learn as much from our children as they do from us. :)
Hopefully, through humility and transparency we can teach them what it's like to have a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.