The Perfect Parent

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This parent has always loved each child without wavering.

This parent has provided for each child with generosity.

This parent has always disciplined perfectly, knowing what was appropriate and carrying it out with just the right attitude at just the right moment and in just the right way.

This parent has recognized the unique qualities of each child and nurtured those qualities with love and wisdom.

This parent has always known exactly what lessons each child needed and has taught those lessons in a way that met each child’s unique traits.

This parent has always been available when each child had a need and has never missed a special occasion.

And yet, every one of this parent’s children has gone astray and turned to his own way:

All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way . . .
Isaiah 53:6a

Some of those children have returned to this loving parent:

For you were continually straying like sheep,
but now you have returned
to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:25

Some, but not all. Still this parent waits:

The Lord is not slow about His promise,
as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,
not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

We parents are hard on ourselves. We want to do everything perfectly. Of course, we long for all to go well with our children and, most of all, we want them to walk with Jesus every day. When they choose to do otherwise, we beat ourselves up. We wonder where we went wrong.

Our heavenly Father is the perfect parent. He does everything perfectly for each of His children and yet every one of His children walk away. Some come back, but not all.

Let’s be mothers of grace. Let’s not condemn other parents. Let’s support one another and pray for one another and pray for each other’s children.

Let’s follow the example of the Perfect Parent every day — loving, providing, disciplining, nurturing, teaching, being available. — and trusting the Perfect Parent with the children He gave us to love.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,
who has loved us and given us eternal comfort
and good hope by grace,
comfort and strengthen your hearts
in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

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