May. 19, 2008 - A new emotion

When I first started parenting ten years ago, my primary reaction to the sin of my children was anger.  My children would commit some sin, it would inconvenience me or diminish my comfort level, and I would become angry.  For the first ten years of parenting, I took the sins of my children personally.  It was always less about their best interests and more about my self-centeredness.  Oh, we disciplined, but it was with the goal of changing their behavior so that I wouldn't have to be anything less than completely happy all of the time.

But recently the Lord has drastically changed the goal of our parenting.  We are starting to pursue our children's hearts.  We desire that God would mold their hearts and attitudes.  That they would treasure God so much that sin becomes less attractive.  We have moved away from punishment and towards correction. 

And yet change in approach has not brought about immediate results.  Unfortunately, raising children is more challenging that making, say, Kool-Aid.   But it has caused me to pray more specifically about the heart matters that I see my children wrestling with. 

As God has provided new insight into our children, I have begun to take their sins less personally.  Instead, I view their sin as rebellion against a Holy God.  Yes, I am often offended, but that is temporary in its effects.  Their consistent offense against their Creator is eternal in its ramifications.  And this has led me away from anger and a new emotion has emerged when a sin occurs: sadness.  I am saddened by the sin of my children because I know that it effects their fellowship with God. 

That's all I have to say about that.