Warning before you read this post: I am NOT a parent... these are just thoughts. Don't get aggravated and send me mean emails.
I had a fantastic conversation today with a great friend (and a great parent) that made me think... and has made me ponder parenting thoughts...
She said that she heard a sermon recently that said (paraphrased), "The way a child turns out is not a report card or reflection of how the parent did in parenting them... The parent pours into that child and disciples them. The child will have choices to make in their life. Those choices will be between that child and Jesus in how they live."
My friend said... we parents really take ownership so deeply if our child fails or succeeds. If the child succeeds, "Yay! I've done a great job"... or if the child makes a choice I don't like, "I'm sad, I've failed as a parent".
That's a lot of pressure on a parent... and one that I'm not sure is quite accurate.
I began thinking about this... and then thought:
When
WE choose to be disobedient, it is not a reflection of God's faithfulness or unfaithfulness... He doesn't change, His love is consistent... it's
OUR choice to walk a different path. So when I sin... that doesn't mean God has failed me or He is now unfaithful... it means I sinned... and I made a bad choice... not a reflection on my Heavenly Father.
Parents pour into their kids... discipling them... molding them... then, it's up to the Holy Spirit and the child... a child's poor choice doesn't mean mom and dad are poor parents... it means they are learning and growing and God is going to use each moment to draw them closer to Himself.
As I said... I am not a parent... I'm just thinking out loud. When I do become a parent I will probably look back at this post and think, "What was I thinking?"