Redemption Hill Church - Stewartville, MN
  • Welcome
  • The Gospel
  • Happenings
  • About Us
    • Our Purpose Statement & Core Values
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Commitments
    • Our Pastor
  • Media
    • Sermons >
      • Genesis Sermon Series
      • Exodus - Deuteronomy Sermon Series
      • Joshua & Judges Series
      • Ruth Book Study
      • 1 Samuel Sermon Series
      • Job Sermons
      • Proverbs Sermon Series
      • Jonah Sermon Series
      • Sermon on the Mount Series
      • Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (John 17) Series
      • Luke/Acts Sermon Series
      • Galatians Sermon Series
      • Ephesians Sermon Series
      • 2 Timothy Sermons
      • Titus Sermon Series
      • Hebrews Sermon Series
      • James Sermon Series
      • 2 Peter Sermon Series
      • "What Do We Believe?" Series
      • Other Sermons
    • Pastor's Blog
    • Members/Friends Portal
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

"Parenting For Recovering Pharisees"

8/31/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
I came across this article by Christina Fox today and found it very helpful--hope the same will be true for you.  I have never been so aware of my own sinful, selfish heart as I am since having two little kids who, for some odd reason, don't always fit into my own personal program for any given day.  So I praise God all the time for using them to grow me, and look to Him for the grace to help me shepherd them like He shepherds me.  Enjoy...


Cooking dinner, I hear the sounds of angry hearts bubbling over into stinging words. It gets louder, and soon someone is crying. Two boys come out into the great-room, red-faced, fists clenched, and both yelling at once. After multiple attempts, I finally gather that one had frustrated the other, who responded by kicking his brother.

I begin by saying, "Remember how Jesus said we were to treat one another?"

"I'm not Jesus!" my oldest responds immediately, his face scrunched up as his feet stomp the tile floor. He runs off to his room.

Sometimes, my children speak words that the Spirit has been trying to pierce into my heart for a while.

The pasta is boiling over. The water makes sizzling sounds as it hits the red glass cook top. I stare at it, knowing I need to leave the kitchen and talk through the conflict with them. I think of how quickly anger can overflow the heart, spattering burning hot drops of pain on anyone nearby.

Turning down the heat on the pot, I walk into the boy's room, hoping to do the same with their anger. I find them both calm and playing with Legos. I get down on the floor, look my oldest in the eyes, and say, "I know you're not Jesus."

Deep into the PastHow often does a parent's response to her child's behavior imply that we expect perfection? The pharisaical heart has roots that dig deep into the past--back into childhood. A child can learn quickly the ways of self-righteousness. When they have behaved, they hear, "You're such a good boy." Over the years, they can grow to believe that the good they do comes from their own ability. When those beliefs take root, they can struggle with seeing their own sin. And perhaps even struggle with seeing their need for a Savior.

"Jesus called us to live as he lived. But he knows we can't be perfect as he is perfect," I tell my son. "That's why he died for us, because we can't do what's right. Through faith in him, he gives us the Holy Spirit. We have his power living within us. That's the only way we can ever obey. We need to pray and ask for his help."

He nods his head, listening.

"When you don't obey, remember that Jesus died for that disobedience. He loves you that much. When you feel the anger rising within you, pray and tell God you are angry. Ask him to help you to obey him."

As a recovering Pharisee, I struggle with living as though I can earn grace. I know how the self-righteous heart can look down on those who don't follow the rules. I don't want my children to grow up with the heart of a Pharisee.

I do want them to know the holiness of God. I want them to know all that he expects, what he commands, and what glorifies him. I also want them to realize that they can't perfectly obey him, and they need a Savior. I want their hearts to be grieved and humbled by their sin. I want them to run to the cross when they sin and remember his grace and mercy.

God's grace covers even my parenting blunders. How grateful I am that his grace is greater than all my sin! I rest in his promise that he is at work in my children's hearts despite my failed efforts. I trust in the story of redemption he is writing in their lives. And I look forward to that day when we will finally be like Jesus.



Christina Fox is a writer, blogger at www.toshowthemjesus.com, homeschooling mom, and coffee drinker, not necessarily in that order. She is a licensed mental health counselor and women’s Bible study teacher. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband of 15 years and their two boys.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Chad Skaran, pastor

    A note from Chad:
    While I will occasionally write original material for this blog, time constraints and my own slow writing style will usually lead me to share content from other authors who have already said it well themselves.  Enjoy!

    Picture

    Archives

    July 2015
    May 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Church Life Together
    Cultural Issues
    Dating / Courtship
    Discipleship: Following Jesus
    Parenting
    Pastoring
    Physical Health
    The Gospel: Knowing It
    The Gospel: Sharing It

    RSS Feed

​Redemption Hill Church 
100 5th Street SE - Stewartville, MN 55976
507.533.8808
Home
About
Contact