Transcript
Now, we're talking about grace-based parenting. We're talking about the patience of grace and what we need to focus on is the fact that change is an extended process, not an event. So I can't treat this moment that I have with my child as an event that has to have this clear, decisive conclusion of change because God doesn't promise me that.
Sin Is Never an Interruption
And so, here's what you have to have in your brain. If your eyes ever see or your ears ever hear the sin, weakness, and failure of your children, it's never an interruption. It's never a hassle. It's never an accident. It's always grace. God loves your child. He loves your child so much that [in] His awesome sovereignty, He has placed your child in a family of faith so that the need of that child would be revealed to you, so you can be part of God's patient process of change.
And so, this moment is not a bad moment of parenting because now, I've seen my child mess up. That's actually good stuff. That's a God of grace meeting me, meeting my child, revealing need in order that we can take one more step in His work of grace in the life of that child.
It's step by step, moment by moment, situation by situation; but they're not just these bad moments that happen to happen. It's God who's working in those moments, purposely revealing the need of my child, giving me yet another opportunity to be part of what He's doing.
So here's what happens. Monday, I have a conversation about respect with my son. Tuesday, his disrespectful heart is in my face again. I should say, "Are you kidding me? We talked about respect yesterday. You're going to do this to me again?"
Another Opportunity, Another Conversation
No, what I should realize is God knows his heart has not yet become respectful. So God is in the midst of giving me another opportunity to have another conversation with my child as God makes another step in grace, reclaiming the heart of that child. How exciting is that?
So I have to be ready to hold my parenting schedule with an open hand because I don't know what's going to happen next. God does and He knows exactly the opportunities He's going to give me. He knows how that these opportunities enable us to move just another step in what He wants to do in the life of my child.
You see, you've got to have that process mentality, that long-term look. And if you have that, then you know tomorrow, you're going to get more opportunities, not hassles. Opportunities to be part of the gracious work of rescue, forgiveness, and transformation that God is seeking to work through you in the life of your child.
