We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And parenting is one of those things that has a way of exposing some of the most tender and vulnerable areas of our hearts.
Like when you have babies and are running on a few hours of sleep, and your hormones are going crazy. Or when you have teens that are acting like aliens who are challenging every boundary, and you can’t seem to get through to them at all. Times like these are when we find ourselves at the end of our parenting rope. These are the times when we can be extra vulnerable to falling into the traps of sin.
Years ago, I was at a park with my firstborn for a playdate with our mom group. I will never forget this day with the “incident on the playset”. One little boy pushed another on top of the playground equipment. The parent whose child was pushed was so beside herself that the mom didn’t intervene and redirect her child, who pushed.
It was understandable for the mom to be upset that her child was pushed. But what happened next was the most shocking part. BOTH moms climbed up on the play equipment and proceeded to scream at one another…very unkind things…that were very inappropriate for a playground with young children.
I just couldn’t even believe my eyes or ears for that matter! I literally had to go up on the playset to diffuse this situation with these women I didn’t even know. I imagine those moms walked away thinking that that wasn’t their finest mom moment.
As much as I thought that was shocking, I now understand after walking in momhood for 16 years, that we are all capable of losing our temper, raising our voice, and saying and doing things that we regret. And let’s be honest, most of us just have the luxury of those embarrassing moments happening behind closed doors and not in the middle of a playground.
We miss the mark every day because we are imperfect people. The GREAT news is that we are made perfect (mature) in weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul says “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’”
Praise God, we have freedom in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Receive God’s grace! God loves you and He shows mercy to you. You are not alone in the struggle. This is part of being human. We all have weaknesses, but we are offered the power of our almighty God. Your sins have been forgiven and today is a new day!
May God’s peace be with you! My prayer for you today is that your heart would be encouraged and that you will be inspired to step out with confidence and courage in what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. God bless you!
When you find yourself missing the mark:
1) Acknowledge it
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
2) Confess it and repent to God
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” Acts 3:19
3) Apologize to the necessary people
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:3
4) Recognize how you might do better next time
“Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
5) Release it
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
Links to Additional Resources:
Find out more about Jesus
New star
Saddleback Church weekend services
The Anchored Life Challenge
Celebrate Recovery
Small Groups
Women’s Bible Studies
Men’s Groups
Drive Time Devotional
If you are ready for a fresh start or a re-commitment to Jesus, we would love to hear from you. Please let us know if you need help getting resources or connected to a group at Saddleback Church. You can email us at parents@saddleback.com
