Sincere apologies can be hard to come by in today's world. You watch TV and movies and people are so flippant and so involved in getting what they want no matter the cost.
I am guessing I am not the only mom on the planet who has kids that argue with her….It seems to go in phases at our house. I suppose we are “lucky” because our kids seem to take turns being the “argumentative kid”! Well, recently one of my kiddos (who shall remain nameless) was on a real run for most argumentative kid of the year at our house. She was willing to argue me to death over things that were important to her. I was fed up, I was burned out and I was ready to nip this streak in the bud! So I let her know that her arguing days were over. I spelled out clearly the consequences that would be handed out if she argued with me again.
I know this is shocking to moms everywhere, but…..SHE ARGUED AGAIN! Crazy, I know….she knew I meant business….but I guess she didn't care. So I gave her the punishment that I had promised. I mean…hey…I had promised her! I can't go back on a promise! Well, later that night she came to me and apologized for arguing. I was thrilled with her response! I was thinking….wow, I really am a great parent! I have gotten through to this child. I patted myself on the back until the next day….when the cycle started all over again…..Arguing–Punishment–She Apologizes. The next day….same cycle. I think you can see where this is going.
Finally one evening when my child comes to me and apologizes… I look at her and tell her that I really don't think she is sorry. She was surprised by my statement. She insisted that she was sorry. I told her that if she was really sorry then she would change her behavior and start doing a better job of not arguing with me. She agreed to try harder and seemed to be starting to realize what sincere apologies really are.
Later that night I was thinking back on her sweet apology. I hoped she was starting to see what being sorry really meant. Suddenly I was hit with a revelation….this same scenario has played out between myself and God so many times over the course of my life. I sin…I am convicted of my sin and repent….but later I commit the same sin again. The cycle repeats itself over and over until I realize that this sin I am committing is just futile! When I truly repent and turn away from the sin, then God knows that I really was sorry. That really is what sincere apologies are all about!
I learned a lesson about my own spiritual walk while trying to teach my daughter a lesson on sincere apologies. I love when God reveals a simple truth to me through parenting. What has He revealed to you lately? I would love to hear about it!
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What a great analogy of our children’s relationship with us and our relationship with the Lord!
As I read the first couple of paragraphs, I thought I was reading about the interaction between my daughter and I just the other evening. Maybe it’s a girl thing. Go figure!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Erica! Glad to know it isn’t only mine that do that!
So true!I always think God teaches us a wealth through out parenting lessons with our kids.
I’m right there with you, Jamie! It’s important to teach our children to reflect. I’ve learned to be gentler with my kids in discipline by remembering how gracious God is when He disciplines me. About a year and half ago, one of my kids was whining non-stop. I finally had enough and told him, “Please stop whining. Just take a deep breath and use your words to TELL ME what you need.” Immediately, Phillipians 4:6 came to mind, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” I had flashbacks to myself worrying and complaining the day before. I’m so thankful for the gentle instruction of Holy Spirit through our relationships with our children.
Thanks for that great story…it is so true! God is so graceful with us!! Thanks for commenting!
I have learned so much from my kids. Especially after they learned to talk and I could hear my words coming out of their mouth. It’s a powerful mirror to how we express ourselves.
So true!!!
This is a great post! I think for kids, it can be hard to realize what is meant by ‘sincere’. I think they tend for forget all about what happened the day before when something they don’t agree with comes up.
Our kids are truly the teachers, I believe.
I love how parenting offers us so many vivid illustrations of how the Lord works in our own lives. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Julie…God is good!!