Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A truck, forgiveness and the Father's heart

I had an interesting experience this morning.  As I dropped kids off at daycare today, Mary told Isaac he could keep his coat on because he needed to go out back and put away the truck he left out yesterday.  I found out that he told her he had put away. 

His face was almost disbelieving that he had to go out and do that, but then it hit him that he had lied and that Mary & I were disappointed in his choice. 

He dutifully walked around to the backyard and put the truck away and then came back inside.  His face when he came in made me want to hug him and say everything is okay, but instead I kindly, but firmly (I hope) told him to go say sorry to Mary for lying.  He buried his head in my legs and asked me to go with him.  I said I would.  He still didn't move - you could feel fear coming from him.  I quietly told him that Mary would forgive him and that he needed to say sorry.  So we went up the stairs and Isaac quietly said "Sorry", to which Mary quickly and graciously responded, "I forgive you Isaac." 

Wow, it was so hard to watch my sweet boy reap the consequences of sin.  Because we can use any other word, lying, being naughty, bad behaviour, etc., but the truth of the matter is that what he did was sin. 

After Mary said she forgave him and I was getting ready to go, I could tell Isaac was still pretty sober and somewhat hesitant to go to Mary and start the day.  I was so thankful that I had the opportunity to teach him about forgiveness in the midst of this.  I told him that when he said sorry and Mary forgave him; it means that she is no longer upset and she forgets about what he did.

He settled into the couch to read a book with Mary and the other kids and as I drove away I saw his smiling face waving at me.  That did my heart a world of good knowing that Mary did the right thing holding Isaac accountable and I did the right thing by not diminishing his behavior. . . but man it was hard!!

I continue to ponder this situation today and the emotions it envokes in me.

Does God's heart hurt as much as mine did watching Isaac reap the consequences (however small) of his sin?  Does God want to leap in and say, "No, it's okay, don't worry about it" so that we (His children) don't feel that pain of discipline, even though He know we need it?  Deuteronomy 8:5 says, "Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good."  

I don't have an answer, but I do know that I am thankful for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that I have been blessed with 2 beautiful children who daily teach me more about God and challenge me.  I am thankful for Mary, who loves (disciplines), cares (corrects) and prays for our kids. 

Oh and parenting is tough. End of story.



1 comment:

Unknown said...

Oh, how tough parenting is... Andy and I have been talking about this lately...being better (more Godly) parents. Uff da. Such a responsibility.