Mess Up? Fess Up!

I don’t know about you, but from the very first day that we brought our first child home from the hospital I’ve been plagued with the following thought: How come there’s no owner’s manual that comes with these little guys? With little to no training we embark on this incredible journey of raising the next generation. Here’s a scarier thought, I have to do more to obtain a driver’s license than I do to become a parent!

How are two fallible human beings supposed to figure this whole parenting thing out? I am far from being able to answer that question with any confidence. But, I have learned that a major portion of my job is to role model our Heavenly Father’s relationship with us to my kids (actually to everyone!) and to call out the greatness God has placed within them and encourage them to step into that greatness.

Now, seeing as I’m still growing as a child of God, you can bet I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to mess up. But here’s the good news, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. How cool is that? As my kids say, we get “do overs!” So what are we to do when we loose our patience, respond out of anger, or make any kind of mistake? Let’s model for our kids! Confess, ask for forgiveness and start over! In short “Mess up? Fess Up!”

Father,
What an incredibly loving, grace-filled and merciful Father you are! I come to you today and ask that You guide me in the task of raising Your children so that they have a right understanding of who You are and the greatness that You have placed deep within each of them. Amen.

Living It Out!
The next time you feel the Holy Spirit convict you on how you handled a particular situation, respond to the conviction by making it a practice to confess your sin, ask for forgiveness and pray for each other. Then sit back and watch God do a mighty work in you and them!