One Moment at a TimeSample

Identify with your child.

Because one of our roles as parents is to correct, discipline, and redirect our kids, it can appear to them as though we’re perfect, have it all together, and never fall short. 

This is far from reality, as we mamas know. 

It’s important for our kids to know that we need Jesus because we are all so very human, so very imperfect. 

We need his grace. A lot. 

A simple way to express this to our kids is to let them know when they’ve fallen short in some way that we struggle with the same things. We can share with them that even though it’s hard, the Lord can help us and change our hearts. 

As we identify with our children in their weaknesses, we have a chance to point to Jesus and our need for him through our own weaknesses. 

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus told a parable. There were two men – one was a Pharisee who showed off and bragged to everyone else about having it all together. 

There was also a tax collector who humbled himself and desperately cried out to the Lord, “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” 

Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Sometimes we get mixed up and think if we try to come across like we are perfect to our kids, they’ll see more of Jesus in us. 

But that’s actually backward from what Jesus said. He said the one who was justified before God was the one who admitted he didn’t have it all together and that he was a sinner in need of the Lord. 

That’s the Gospel right there. 

The more we identify with our kids in their weaknesses and struggles, pray with them, and point them to our need for Jesus, the more they will get a true picture of the Gospel and the beauty of God’s forgiveness and grace through Jesus. 

One-Day Goal: Identify with your children when they fall short today, letting them know that you’re working on the same things, but that Jesus can help you both when you ask him to.