Maybe our bad moment isn’t getting our hair stuck in the vacuum (ha! ha!), but we’ve all had our moments when we just don’t get it “right” in parenthood, in life. I recently heard Lysa TerKeurst say in a podcast: “Bad moments don’t make bad mamas. If you had a bad moment yesterday, ask for forgiveness…Let bad moments be what they are: they’re bad moments. Don’t let them define who you are as a mom, as a woman, as a child of God.” (Check out Courtney Defeo’s podcast with Lysa @leadinggirlspodcast.com).
Lysa said that when we lose it with our kids, that doesn’t mean it’s a ruined day or that we are awful parents. It simply means it’s a bad moment that can be redeemed and forgiven.
Jesus’ words in Luke 5 echo this point: When the Pharisees and teachers of the law questioned Jesus, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus pointed out that those who consider themselves “righteous” and perfect don’t see a need for him. But those who know they miss perfection, can see their great need for grace. For a Savior. For Jesus.
Let’s show our kids Jesus love in those bad moments by admitting our imperfections, asking for forgiveness, and walking forward in grace. Our kids will better understand the Gospel of Jesus and the words of Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
Lord, we pray you would help us not be fixated on our mistakes and what we lack, but that we would set our eyes on you, enjoy the gift of our children, relish in your grace, live in your freedom. Please make us more like you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Linsey Driskill 