I want to start this blog off by pointing out the two most important lines in the song “A Parent’s Prayer”. In the first verse “Dad says I love you son”, and in the second verse, “Mom says I love you so”. These are the two most important lines to me, because they stress the importance of loving our kids through whatever they are going through.

One thing we as parents need to realize, is that there is a big difference between being disappointed in something your son or daughter does, and loving them. The two are not the same thing. It is possible to be disappointed and still love your kid.

I think the words that Jesus was speaking in Luke 15 applies here. Yes, he was speaking of himself, how he will leave the 99 to rescue the 1, but I believe that applies to us as believers, that we need to concentrate on the lost, especially when the lost is our own child. Luke 15:2-7 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3So he told them this parable: 4″What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (ESV)

We need to love our kids, no matter what. The important thing to recognize is that being disappointed, and not agreeing with them, or not “helping” them out of a bind that they got into is not the opposite of love, in fact, it is the very essence of love. Loving someone means helping them to be the best that they can be. And the best that they can be, is to make positive choices, starting with choosing to have a relationship with Jesus.

Thanks for reading,

Quintin and Beth

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