Our advice as parents was not accepted. Granted, I see awesomeness in our kids. We are so proud of their efforts, hard work, love for God and dedication to do good. But we all have areas we can improve on and the suggestion given, was not well received. It was rejected and made me feel disrespected and unappreciated. Not to mention the fact that I saw pride and foolishness in my child's response. So I went to the Lord in prayer.... asking what I should do. Here are some of the scriptures I read.
Genesis 4:5 "but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected." Here Cain is giving an offering to God that was not acceptable to God. And instead of being repentant, Cain went further into rebellion following his own will. Maybe this offering was not pleasing to God because of Cain's attitude or it was not up to God's standard. Either way, "Isaiah 55:9 says "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Proverbs 15:5 "Only a fool despises a parents discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise."
Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."
1 Peter 5:6 "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor."
While I was thinking about all of this, God started working on me too. He revealed to me something I wasn't even aware I was doing. I had become resentful of the time I was giving up for the sake of the kids. God gives us all we have. That includes our money, family, friends and TIME. I am to serve God and others with a joyful heart. I had lost focus of the privilege of serving God as a parent.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
God also showed me a little bit of how He feels when we don't listen to his suggestions to us as adults. Does God feel disrespected, frustrated and unappreciated too, especially since He is all-knowing and all-powerful? This lead me to repentance and sorrow for going my own way. I am glad God is filled with grace for me. I can trust Him and surrender to His will because his motives are pure and good. Just as my motives are good for my child when I am giving suggestions.
God's after our hearts and our obedience. Thankfully, our family resolved the current issues, and humbled ourselves under God.
1 John 4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory..... because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
