Do-Overs

My daughter had a huge epiphany tonight. She tried to hide something from me. Only in the process of hiding, the whole ordeal, made her feel sick to her stomach. She couldn't eat, couldn't do her homework, couldn't even watch TV.

I tried to find out what it was causing her so much stress, but she refused to talk. Got snippy. Turned away. Our communication was nil. What she hid isn't important. It wasn't even that huge. But it was to her.

After awhile, it became too much for her. What she had tried to hide, was hidden no more. Her fear I would be angry or disappointed, caused her to hide from the very person who gave birth to her. Who would go to the ends of the earth to protect her.

It became a teaching moment. For her, AND for me. She learned that being dishonest, caused her to lose her relationship with me. I had not caused the loss. She had. Once she confessed, and was repentant, she felt much better, kept giving me hugs.

So it is with us and God. We sin.......we turn away, believing God thinks of us as a screw up. But He never walks away from our relationship with Him. We do. The amazing thing, is that He doesn't think of us as damaged. He thinks of us as His children, dearly loved......cherished.

Parenting tonight, gave me a sliver of insight into God's incredible love for us. We have a God who specializes in "Do-overs". And I am SO grateful.