dear mom and dad

Children are the greatest gift to humanity, second only to knowing the love of a faithful spouse, founded on the love of a Savior.

They are the most innocent part of us and also expose the parts that we either do not want to face, have ignored, or thought we had gotten over.

As much as we want to protect them from the world, sometimes those who need protection the most are our own sins.

Sins of the flesh and spirit, such as insecurities, unfaithfulness, people pleasing, judgment, poor self-control, greed, shame, complacency, abuse, laziness, jealousy, pride, fear, addictions, criticism, unforgiveness, bitterness, disobedience, etc.

I say this so vulnerably because no matter how much therapy and deliverance I went through before I had my two precious sons, I realize that on this side of heaven, there will always be sin and imperfections within me that will come out in parenthood.

As much as I work through them and leave them at the cross, God continues to reveal new areas that need to be surrendered completely to Him in various seasons of growth and pruning.

Dear Mom and Dad, I want to encourage you: don’t strive for perfection as a parent—strive instead to show your children God's love in how you act. They won’t remember the Bible stories as much as they’ll remember how you acted on Sunday mornings on your way to church, for example.

No matter how many mistakes you make and what negative traits of yours they pick up, know that as you seek the Lord for help and guidance daily, they will love you even more. Through your repentance and acknowledgment of mistakes, they will see that not only are mom and dad imperfect, but because of your shortcomings, they will receive your grace during their struggles as well—that’s the whole point of parenting, to show the love of a loving Father to sinful man, unconditionally.

Dear Mom and Dad, do you live this way already? If not, are you willing to be vulnerable before your children, acknowledge your mistakes, and ask for forgiveness? Or are you stuck in your pride and fear of thinking that you'll look weak if you do? Satan wants you to stay stuck in these fears, but God came to set the captives free, including you, a parent who knows that you are not living the way that you want to in order to raise your children for his glory. Satan wants you to believe that if you've made mistakes in the past, they are Unforgivable. That couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, God already died for all your sins before you were even born. He knew all the mistakes you would make as a parent, and that's why he invites you daily to participate in and receive his grace and mercy, so that you can show the same grace and mercy to your children. But until you reach the end of yourself and acknowledge your need for him, you will remain stuck.