Good morning everyone,

Lamentations 3:32-33-but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.

Yesterday evening probably served as one of the greatest opportunities I have had to show my son the love of Jesus Christ towards me in the gospel. It came from a moment of disrespect and ingratitude that caused me to be very angry. He knew how disappointed I was with him, so much so he came home and tried to help bring in the groceries! Looking to work to receive a love he thought he lost from my disappointment, hmmm…

That night I realized that he is like me, inclined to speak what he feels and sometimes it is not as respectful as it should be. So I thought, how many times have I been irreverent and disrespectful in my thoughts and actions towards God? Yet He doesn’t stay angry with me, but desires my heart to want to honor Him. Not work harder, but humble myself, admit my sin, and receive His unconditional love and grace.

I then realized that I could make this an issue about my pride and honor as his father and limit everything to that reality, and Christ never be relevant in our house, only "church"? Or I could lead him to realize the power of the gospel in my own life? So I told him that I forgive him because I too sin arrogantly against our Lord, and receive compassion and forgiveness because of what Christ did. I reminded him that "You never have to work for my love! Just because you messed up doesn’t make me lose love for you that you must earn it back. Just acknowledge without any excuse that you were wrong."

Earning love is not gospel, nor is it love, if God is Love. I know it’s hard but make it about Christ and His love, it truly frees us from ourselves and our children from tyranny.

In His Love, Ld