Read:  Ephesians 4:32

Think:  There is photographic evidence that I made my first mistakes as a father in the delivery room when our first child was born.  The evidence, oddly enough, is the photographs themselves, which my wife maintains are gruesome and inappropriate.  Believe it or not, I have made additional – and more devastating – mistakes since then.

Like every parent, I vowed that I would not repeat the mistakes that my parents made.  I would have more time for my children, and infinite patience.  I would love my spouse perfectly in order to model healthy marriage for my kids.  Like every parent, I have failed to meet the high standards I set for myself.  Like every parent, I have felt intense guilt and sorrow at my failures.

I guess that’s why Pastor Ben’s final point on Sunday had such a deep impact on me.  ‘Live in God’s grace,’ he said.  God’s grace is what frees us from our guilt and shame, including the intense remorse and sadness we feel when we know that our mistakes have hurt the children we love.  It is in living in that grace that we find the will and the strength to change our behaviors and become, if not perfect, at least better parents.  Because we are role models, our acceptance of God’s forgiveness – and the change that flows from it – shows our children how God can help them when they fail.

When we truly experience God’s grace flowing into our lives, it will begin to flow out, as well.  As God has forgiven us, we begin to forgive others.  Focusing on relationships between parents and children, Pastor Ben reminded us of the importance of dealing with any resentment we may have against our own parents.  For our own good, and that of our kids, we need to pass on to them the forgiveness God has extended to us.  God, the perfect parent, extends grace to all who will accept it.  We are most like Him when we become conduits of His grace.

Do:  Identify a less-than-ideal behavior in you that you may have learned from a parent.  Spend a moment meditating on God’s forgiveness of that in you, and what it would look like for you to forgive your parent for it, too.

Pray:  Father God, thank you for your grace.  I’ve made so many mistakes, but You’ve always been ready to forgive me and help me to live a better life.  Help me today to show grace to my parents as You have shown it to me, forgiving and loving them in a way that pleases You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.