EP 43 Hope for Imperfect Parents

20 min • 26 september 2018

How many imperfect parents out there? Raise your hands. I’m hoping all my parents out there raised their hands. We are going to experience failure in our parenting – it’s not an option but a reality in our lives on this fallen earth.

Don’t we all find ourselves at times sure that we’ve ruined our children? How many times have we yelled, acted rashly in our correction and the list of mistakes and sinful responses towards them we’ve made over the years sadly goes on.

We’re going to fail – and in saying that it doesn’t mean our failure shouldn’t affect us. I know we all are saddened by the times we’ve caused hurt in any way to our children, and this isn’t a podcast to just give us a pass to the failures we’ve caused our children.

We need to seek the forgiveness of our children, repent to the Lord of wrongs we’ve caused to them and to the best of our ability and by the grace of God avoid hurting them in the future when possible.

We must remember always that we are sinners’ parenting sinners. Sin affects every one of our relationships.

Romans 7:18-19 is true in my role as a parent just as it’s true in my relationship with all others on this earth.

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

We are not perfect—we already know this.

Remember that it is God’s grace that transforms our lives and the lives of our children – it’s not our perfect or more likely imperfect parenting. He is the only One that has the power to transform their hearts and minds. This doesn’t mean we don’t strive to set a pattern and routine for our homes that directs the hearts of our children towards Him. It is our duty as parents to train up our children in His ways but we can’t trust that our parenting is going to save them.

Scripture & Resources:

Romans 7:18-19

Ephesians 6:1-4

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Matthew 19:25-26

John 6:37

1 Corinthians 15:10

Romans 3:23

Psalm 119:11

Matthew 18:22

2 Corinthians 12:9

Parents, Require Obedience of Your Children