Parenting
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

At times, parenting presents us problems, or is it our children who are the problems? I suppose our children would perhaps say it's the parents that are the problems, especially if we don't let them do just exactly what they may want.

Sometimes, we have to administer 'tough love'. Some kids have to make their own decisions and mistakes, and, as parents, sometimes, we have to let them. This doesn't mean we don't love our kids, but, sometimes, it takes letting our kids make mistakes, for them to learn how to straighten up their lives.

Our Heavenly Father lets his children (we Christians) learn by our own mistakes as well. Although he supplies us with a great teaching tool (the Bible), we are like our children; we choose when we are going to read and study and apply, or when we aren't. He's not pushy; he lets us. But, when we decide that we need Him, he's there, just like we are for our children, when they need help and understanding. He said he's never leave nor forsake us. He wants us to have the best life, but he's willing to sit back and wait for us to decide that's what we really want. He's the most patient 'parent' I know!