Thank God for 2nd chances!!!! (literally)

Ok, so God is speaking to me and it's not subtly... It's actually rather loudly and in an "in your face" kind of way. The thing is, I haven't quite figured out all the message. I may be a little slow, or maybe He is trying to get me to think a little about this. I know for sure He is trying to get me to be still and quiet (something that seems almost unobtainable most days with 2 small children running around at my feet).

It started January 2nd (actually if you want to get technical, it started Jan 1st when I prayed that this year I would be more open then ever to God's word and really live out what He teaches me). So, I began a new bible study during my quiet time and the VERY first lesson was on Matthew 18:23-35. If you are unfamiliar with this story it is the story Jesus tells on grace and the importance of forgiving others.

Brief NLT version: There was a king who checked the bank accounts of what others owed him. He found out one man owed him over $100,000. This was a huge amount of money to pay back and the servant did not have the money. When the king found out the man had nothing to pay, he told others to have the man sold along with his wife and children and all had as well. The servant fell on his knees and begged the king for patience. The king felt pity on him and forgave ALL his debts! Later, that same servant came across a fellow servant who owed only about $10. A much smaller amount then he had owed the king. He grabbed this servant and in his anger demanded that he return all $10 back to him that very moment. The servant got down on his knees and begged for more time to pay the money back, but the first man would not listen to him and threw him into prison. When the other servants saw what had happened, they told the king. The king called in the servant who he had forgiven and said to him, "You awful servant! Because you pleaded with me, I forgave you a HUGE debt that you owed me . Shouldn't you have done the same towards your fellow servant that I did for you?" Then the angry king sent him to prison and demanded that he stay there until the original debt had been repaid. Jesus told this story as a reminder to us. We should forgive others because God has forgiven so much in us.

So, you're sitting here thinking "yup, good story... but can you just stick with the cute and funny anecdotes of your kids?" Well, I thought the same thing and then last week while listening to a podcast from a preacher we know he starts preaching on this very story (coincidence?)... AND THEN...this weekend Parker comes home from church and his bible lesson was on... you guessed it... Matt 18:23-35!!! No subtly about it... God is speaking to me and it is getting LOUDER!

One lesson I am getting from all of this is the idea of disciplining my kids with grace. I'm not talking about having no discipline or consequences (b/c we have all been out to eat and to the mall and seen "those" delinquent kids...(lol:)) but showing my kids grace and forgiveness and most definitely 2nd chances when they have done something wrong! After all, didn't God give us the greatest 2nd (and 3rd and 4th and 22,256th chance, etc...) when he sent His son Jesus?

I think about Parker and how sensitive his heart is and his desire to learn about God and what He is all about. I cannot think of a better way to demonstrate the love that Christ has for us then by granting grace to him in times of disobedience and bad behavior and reminding him of how much God loves him (that He sent His son to die for us). I have been thinking about how God parents me. He does not parent with fear. I don't choose good decisions b/c I am afraid of the consequence. Rather, I WANT to do good and obey because I know it pleases him and this is what he expects of me. I think the same can apply to my kids. They should not want to obey us because they are afraid of the punishment and or outcome if they don't, but they should obey and make good choices because they know it makes us happy and that is the expectation we have of them. Make any sense at all?

It's balancing that grace along with the discipline and instruction that I am still trying to figure out. I know God will give Trevis and myself wisdom as we journey on this parenting adventure so I am not too worried but at the same time I want to get it "right" (whatever "right" may be in this situation). Normally, when I have had a parenting dilemma or question in the past I have gone to the gurus and professionals in the field of Christian parenting or bent the ear of a friend. I have read LOTS of parenting books by well known and well respected authors and I can honestly say that grace and forgiveness in discipline is not a topic written about in much depth. So, as I muddle through this idea I am feeling a bit alone and slightly overwhelmed. I do not want to be a doormat, to be taken advantage of, or have this "bite me in the bottom" (so to speak), yet, I know that God is speaking to me and telling me that this is definitely something I need to begin to work on and become conscientious of when disciplining and instructing Parker and Lillie in love. My hope and prayer is that it will eventually become automatic for me and that they will comprehend the message sooner than later (maybe I'll even have some good examples and stories to share this year as a result).

My prayer: Lord, I know this is the time of year when people are resolving to lose weight, slow down their lives, quit a bad habit, etc...but this year I desire to parent like you do. With an unconditional love that is so enormous that I cannot even comprehend it and with a firm, yet loving hand you guide me to make decisions that exemplify you and your kingdom to those around me. Help me to be that parent to my kids. There is nothing I want more than for my kids to follow you, love you and proclaim you and the scary (yet thrilling) thing is that I know I am your vehicle to teach them those things. Give me overflowing patience (you know I need it) abundant energy (in stronger forms than caffeine) and keen wisdom (my mommy-brain mode needs fine tuning). Thank you for loving me and showing me grace EVERY day even when I know I do not deserve it. Now, please just help me pass that same message on to my kids. AMEN!