Growing up in a family that went to church every Sunday, was a blessing, but I wasn’t there for the right reason. I loved going to show off my clothes which my mother made, and not to learn more about Jesus. As a teen, my parents were making me go to church. In any case, there was nowhere else to go on a Sunday morning. It was not like my calendar was busting at the seams with other options. My eyes were opened to what this world had to offer, and God seemed very distant. He had not moved, but I had. Why was I at church? Each Sunday had become an unwanted chore, but I did not want to be a disobedient daughter. I also didn’t feel comfortable talking to others about this.
Because our church didn’t have a bible study for my age, my father recommended that I go to another church’s bible study. When I went, they introduced the concept of a personal relationship with Jesus. That first night, I trusted in Jesus for my salvation. Wow, what a transformation! Suddenly, my thoughts were on Jesus rather than myself. Going to church went from a chore to an exciting experience.
A new a journey had begun for me. I could now acknowledge my sin. Talking openly about my failures no longer made me fearful,
Years later, when I was married and had a son, I tried hard to ensure that he felt comfortable talking about his failures and sins. I told him many times per day that I loved him, and we prayed together every day. This built trust. He knew that no matter what he did or said, that I would still love him.
As a result, there were many times that the built trust, allowed him the freedom to share important things happening in his life. It was a true blessing, and a special relational bond. I’m sure that there are still somethings that were not revealed to me.
As parents, we should always pray and strive to create a safe family environment, where our children are comfortable disclosing their failures and sins. Knowing punishment might happen, does not change the fact that we will never stop loving them.
Since we are to be like God our heavenly Father, the below verses seem appropriate. God will never abandon or forsake us, no matter what we do or say.
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. Psalms 94:14 NLT
