Forgive Your Kid
“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.”
Have you ever thought about forgiving your kids? If you don’t have kids, think about other kids in your world who haven’t made life easy at times for you or the people you love.
I was driving along yesterday, noodling and praying about speaking on bitterness and its antidote - forgiveness - when all of a sudden, the Lord took me back to some things with my own children. Wait! I don’t think I’d forgiven them.
Of course, when my boys said they were sorry for something they’d done, I said, “I forgive you,” to them, but I don’t think I’d ever really forgiven them for all the other things we adults bear. There is pain that’s caused and comes on a regular basis that doesn’t necessarily get confronted. We adults (especially parents) carry a lot for these sinful, rebellious kids.
There’s a reason the Psalmist wrote, “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.”
When it comes to my own junk, I can easily look back and cringe at the sins and rebellion of my youth. “Oh, God thank you for forgiving me of my jealousy, envy, judgmentalism, haughtiness, anger, lying, disrespect, sexual impurity…” The list goes on.
Then I think about what it was like raising my two sons, David and Aaron. The sons I love with all my heart. The ones I poured my sweat, blood, and whole life into. Those guys.
For some of you, this is obvious: Raising your son or daughter is no picnic. You’ve spent many a day and night forgiving them.
For others, what could this forgiveness look like?
Perhaps:
A) God, first of all, I remember the sins of my own youth (be specific) and ask your forgiveness. If you’ve already done this, then just be reminded: Wow! He forgave me ALL those and every other last one in Christ Jesus. Thank you, God. Then,
B) God, I now think about my children. I pray this verse over their lives.
It’s akin to Jesus on the cross praying for those who spit, mocked and nailed Him there in the first place:
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
If you’re looking for a graduation gift, an additional one that’s not in an envelope or a Bed, Bath and Beyond box, go to God and invest in some time with Him on forgiving your (or somebody else’s) kid.
IN CHRIST,
I'm real because God is so real
Your Calling For Today
Don’t go to the son or daughter, but do work this verse through with God. Kids will be home this summer. Kids will be graduating and moving on.
Invest in your souls and relationship this way.