How To Be A Perfect Parent (Hint: You Can't)

Parents, you will not get it right. You absolutely will not. You will do the best you can and there will still come a time when your adult children will be disappointed in you, think you failed them or simply not understand you or your benign intentions.

Gone are those days of toddler tantrums and pre-teen outbursts when they were frustrated by what you did or didn’t do. In hindsight, it was much easier in those days when you could somehow fix everything with just a hug and a little bit of patience.

Back then the days were long, but the nights are darker now. As parents we often get caught in the idea that we have to make our kids’ lives perfect. And when we fall far short of that goal, we sink to the pit of despair and hopelessness that we have ruined everything, even if we don’t quite understand how.

But God says otherwise. He reminds us in His Word that while we are called to be more Christ-like every day, we are NOT Christ. While we are His most wonderfully made albeit completely imperfect children whom He loves and has made for exactly the life in which He places us, we will never, ever get it all right every single time. Truthfully, there will be seasons when the most consistent thing we do is get it wrong—every single time.

So while we disappoint, damage and distress both ourselves and our families as we trudge through what seems like insurmountable life challenges in this fallen world, He gently encourages us to get out of His way and simply point our children to the One and only perfect parent who can bring peace in the midst of the rolling storms, orchestrate forgiveness where hard hearts reside, and eventually restore everything back to His perfect purpose that which humans have seemingly messed up for good.

When your heart is on the sidewalk in tatters, just remember this—there is hope in prayer—peace in God—and an almighty Abba Father who parents us all without mistakes or clouded vision.

Weary mommas (and earthly daddies), grab hold of His outstretched hand today and point your children to His unfailing love and perfect parenting. Where we see failings, God sees promises!