Parenting by Design - July 8

Happy in sorrow? 

2 Cor. 7:9: …yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us (NIV).

Paul tells us that when sorrow leads to repentance, it is worthy of rejoicing. Think about it. We can rejoice in the midst of sorrow because we know it is part of God's plan for our kids' salvation and sanctification. God is working in their lives.

Sometimes, though, when my kids ignore my advice and reap the consequences of a bad choice, I am tempted to rejoice because I was "right". I want to say, "I told you so," because my motivation is selfish. I want to be seen as the expert in the family.

Instead of letting God work, my pride interferes and becomes a source of frustration and anger for my children. It takes self-restraint not to interfere with God's work by driving home painful lessons with self-glorifying remarks.

Trust God. Allow His consequences to lead your kids to repentance instead of rehashing mistakes and reminding them of your "wisdom."