Blind Leading The Blind

Matthew 7:5 says, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." 

Have you ever thought of this verse in the context of parenting? There is an old saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." Have you ever known for that to work? I haven't. 

Your child is your fellow brother or sister in Christ. You, both, have God as your Heavenly Father, so this make this verse apply to the subject of parenting and is one quite often overlooked. I don't believe it is overlooked, because you want to keep that log in your eye, but because you don't know how to remove it. 

What if, it wasn't as difficult as the enemy would have you to believe it is? 

What if, it was as simple as being real and transparent?

What if, instead of having to put on a front of perfectionism, you drop the mask and show the Father and your children your real junk? I guarantee that both already know you are a hot mess. 

I'm a hot mess. I have walked this road out a few times, maybe few dozen times. It isn't fun. In fact, it's down right scary. But, if you think about it, who were the people who you looked up to? The people who mentored you and inspired you to be a better version of you? Were they people of perfection or people who showed up everyday in life and weren't afraid to show their true colors? I can say without a shadow of a doubt, the people who have influenced me the most in my life are the ones who new life is messy and embraced that mess. Mud didn't scare them, in fact, it inspired them. 

Children are inspired in the same way. They aren't looking for a Mr. or Mrs. Perfect. Trying to reach for an unattainable bar is not inspiring. It is condemning. It sends a strong message that you are broken and a failure, because no one ever wins at this game, everyone looses.

Imagine the pressure it would relieve off you and your child, if you decided that instead of showing them a fake version of yourself, which never really existed and never will, you decided to be real and embrace your flaws. Then you can mentor to them what it looks like to take those flaws to God and trust Him to work those out in you. Showing your child how to take your weaknesses to Him is one of the best things you could ever teach them. Isn't that what we ultimately want them to learn to do? What hope do we have if we don't model it for them in an authentic way?

When I meet someone, the fastest way for me to know if I can trust them is by me watching how they handle their imperfections. If they readily admit them and have submitted themselves to God and to others around them, I instantly take notice. And so do children...

Are there logs in your life you are wanting to remove? Do your kids know what those logs are? Are you submitting them to God? We would love for you to share your thoughts.