Title: Hurting Parents / Topic: Wayward Kids

This is an "extra" blog out of tomorrow's reading. It struck me because of my own personal parental trauma and I share it because I know we have many parents going through the same thing with their kids. If they only knew how much they affect us! Today's blog from today's reading is below this one.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 3; Jeremiah 4; John 11

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:19-20
19 "I myself said, " 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me.
20 But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD.

Observation: Father God is expressing His grief at the betrayal and rejection of the dear, precious children He loves. He's cared for, provided for and loved them with His whole heart and did not expect that they would turn away from Him. Many of us who are parents have had one or more of our children reject our love and values--- the teachings we took time to so carefully inculcate in them for their own good--- and can relate fully to God's expression of pain. It is good to know that the God of all the universe can completely empathize with us. Because He understands as He does, He can comfort us in our pain over our kids like no one else can. We can also learn from His example. We forgive as He forgives. When it comes to punishment or judgment for their wrongs though, we need to be careful. We are not perfect as God is. He knows just how much pressure to bring to bear on our children to turn them back to Himself. We do not. So that part we must leave in His hands. Our responsibility is to pray and to NOT interefere with what God is doing. Sometimes we can "rescue" our children from consequences God is bringing to correct them out of a desire to not see our children suffer. At other times we don't show them grace when it is the right time to do so because we aren't wanting to shortchange their "reaping and sowing" process. Parenting is the hardest job you'll ever do.

Application: Receive God's comfort. Pray. Do your best to stay out of God's way as you place your wayward loved ones in His hands. Don't judge other parents for what they do with their kids in these situations. You can offer perspective if they ask for it, but it's hard to know exactly what's right for each child, and our emotions can make it harder for us to hear the Lord clearly. As parents, all we can do is pray and do what we think is best. Then we need to leave it in God's hands. I say this from my heart because of my own personal experiences.

Prayer: Oh Father, nothing in this world can break our hearts and make us crazy like problems with our children. It's hard to watch them make destructive choices. Comfort us and give us Your wisdom. Lead them in Your way Lord. And help us to not interfere with what You are doing, even if it means we have to watch them suffer so that they "hit bottom" and turn to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.