I am so thankful we homeschool. I love getting into the Word with my kids and then have them bring it up later, or if I have to disciple them later we can bring up a lesson from a previous day. It most definitely brings a unity between spiritual matters, lessons from biblical times, and what is happening in our world right now. And most definitely being with them while reading the Word, helps me grow, be a better parent, and more Christlike through my understanding.
This last week we studied The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant located in Matthew 18:21-35 NIV.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
I have had this thought in my head and I haven't been able to put it into words until reading this passage. I do not understand how someone, possibly as sinful as me, could completely comprehend the gift of salvation and yet be a punitive parent. Please forgive me if I have a hard time putting this into words as I feel like it is so profound and amazing that I cannot put it into words. To truly understand the gift of the cross; yet have no grace, mercy and gentleness to your children, leads me to wonder if the parent truly understands their own sin nature and truly understands the gift of eternal life. How can you go to God and plead forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ, yet turn around and expect every directive instantaneously be followed without mistake in a SMALL child that yet does not have the ability (and you don't either!)? Yes, they have sin nature just as you and I do. We are instructed to teach our children the way to repentence and redemption, not pain and suffering. We are to show Jesus to the entire world, not witholding the amazing gift of grace to our own family members.
Dear God,
Please forgive me when I fail to show grace to my kids. You love me more than I can imagine or understand. I thank you that your mercies are new every morning. I pray you help me show Christ to my kids every day in every action, and when I fail may I be an example of sanctification to my children. May they understand that Christ has paid for their sin, and they may find eternal, glorious wholeness and unity with you Heavenly Father. May I be Jesus to them so they can fully understand Him. I thank you for the gifts of my 5 children you have entrusted me with. I thank you that you trust me in raising them in fear and admonition of the Lord. I am in awe of your greatness and I am here in your service.
Amen
How many times should I forgive my children and show grace when they do not meet my expectations?
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