There are a lot of things about my dad’s parenting I would change if I could go back in time. Instead, I take those memories and wring the lessons out of them that I want to be sure to unlearn as I journey through parenthood myself.
But, some days I am surprised.
Some days something beautiful surfaces.
…Keep reading with me over at (In) Courage?
When I read your title the first thing I thought was Communion…
Gosh – that’s wonderful! I hadn’t even thought of that – thanks for the insight. It seems fitting in this season of Lent, to have Communion on the brain, doesn’t it?
Stunning.
Steph
Crimminy – thanks! It’s nice to know our totally humiliating moments can serve us later in life! ;)
Lisa-Jo, this story is so powerful! It gave me chills, good ones. I’m much more inclined to think about the bad parenting habits I unconsciously absorbed during my childhood and will have to unlearn, and my parents’ failures, rather than their moments of wisdom and grace and infinite care. I hope I can learn to be as willing to extend them grace as you have been.
“The deliberate, generous call to obedience as opposed to the easier default to using fear to force it.”
… uh… gasp… unable to breath… arrow to the heart
What came to mind was the look on my children’s faces when I’m yelling at them. Beating them into submission with the volume of my words.
ugh. *drops head in shame*
You and me, both, sister. You and me, both. Have you read my post, “The Perfect Storm”? I have days when my head hangs low too. http://thegypsymama.com/2009/08/17/the-perfect-storm/
No, I hadn’t read that one. But it’s a good, and acurate image of what happens in a home, behind closed doors, when it just becomes too much.
Yes, you choose. But I struggled with the whole “self-control” thing. It’s filled with condemnation. I, at times, feel like I have no control. But Heb 2:18 reminds us that it’s more that “self” control, that we also fall into the temptation of trying to do it all on our own. He too was tempted, and suffered, and is the one powerful enough, not me. Yes, I must choose, but sometimes, I rely on him. And when I don’t, he still heals, forgives, restores. Amen.
Yes, I think the Lord teaches each of us the lessons we need to learn – different angles of truth stick out plainer to some than to others. Some perspectives matter differently to each of us. Isn’t it wonderful how patient and deliberate a parent He is to take the time to teach us each individually in the ways we learn best?
Wow, it is so appropriate that I would read this today. I just had an encounter with my daughter where she greatly embarrassed me in front of my family and I reacted harshly. As she came to me an hour later and whispered in my ear…”I love you. Are you still mad at me?”…I knew I had not handled it correctly. I just pray that I would offer grace as freely as it has been offered to me.
From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace…John 1:1
And the thing is, this was a very very exceptional moment for my dad – he has a bad track record when it comes to temper. But you know what – it’s this beautiful moment that sticks out in my memory more than many of the bad ones. See the power of grace! When offered it can cancel out a multitude of ungracious moments.