Proverbs 15:20
Being
a parent can be one of the most rewarding and frustrating experiences anyone
can have. When your children are making good decisions, wise decisions and the
get the reward for those choices, this is exciting. And the joy doesn’t fade
over time. Long after they have left the safety of your home and established
their own home, when doing the right thing pays off, your heart will jump in
joy.
But
this outcome is by no means guaranteed. You can raise your children in a
household where doing the right thing is the norm, and still have kids who
chose the wrong. That is why having kids choosing the right thing brings so
much joy. You realize that your kids could have chosen the wrong path. Instead,
grace is at work. When they do the right thing they are giving you a priceless
gift. Enjoy it!
On
the other side of the coin is the child that does not chose the right thing.
They are a source of constant pain and discouragement. You never quite know
what to expect, other than more bad news. You keep thinking, “Maybe this time
they will turn it around.”
But
does the fool see the pain they are causing their parents and change their
behavior? Nope! Instead, they make up excuses for their behavior, often
pointing fingers. They downplay the contribution and sacrifice their parents
have made on their behalf. The parents end up getting blamed for the fool’s
folly. And every time they do, they cause more pain to their parents.
My
children bring me so much joy. They continue to make good choices long after
they have left our home. We are truly blessed, grace upon grace.