One of the biggest deceptions the enemy of our souls whispers is that we parents don’t need to tell our kids about the unpleasant parts of our story. Our greatest fear as moms and dads is that telling our kids about our past mistakes will encourage them to copy our behavior.
But if we appropriately regret our past sins, as did John Newton who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace,” then telling about our redemption will bring glory to God and will inspire our children to believe God for their own deliverance from sins.
Our children don’t need parents who pretend to be perfect. The best way to invite your children to share your faith is to let them see your changed life. Without question we must use wisdom in what details we keep from them, what timing is best for their ages, and what warnings we might add to discourage our children from repeating our mistakes.
Jesus told a man who was delivered from demon possession by the power of Jesus’ command, “go home and declare how much God has done for you.” Be a witness! Be an evangelist at home, telling your family and all who will listen what God has done for you.
The Psalms repeatedly urge us to tell of His wondrous works. Psalm 78:4 says we should “conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord.” God doesn’t mean just tell your kids about Noah and Moses, but tell the miracles of grace in your life.
Any change He works in your heart is a miracle. Tell your kids God healed your angry heart toward your coworker. Proclaim how He gave you the courage to forgive your parents.
What has God done in your heart recently that you can share over dinner this week? What if every day your family recounted all God had done? Might you become a more grateful people?
Thank you so much for sharing, I completely agree with you and I see much value in being honest with my childeren about my failures. They need to hear about how God has helped me as a child, a teenager and as an adult. It is just part of the Christian walk. The catch here is to choose the right time to tell them. Thank you so much!
How very true I tried to be that perfect parent. It was a BIG mistake my children thought I was a perfect person, they felt that they could never live up to my my perfection. So of course they made many mistakes. I felt like a failure the worst parent in the world. We all turned to CHRIST in different times, and different strengths. Forgiveness is a hard hurdle to get over but with the help of CHRIST all is possible, am happy to say all of my children (4) now follow GOD our father. We also now know the only perfect person is GOD.
GOD BLESS
Gloria
This really spoke to me, I need to be remained how our God can heal the hard stuff, in my own life. God is faithful, to a good work til the coming of our Lord Jesus. I do believe that kids or adult children need to know. His grace sufficient. Thank you much