While lying in bed with La Petite Belle last night …
La Petite Belle: “I love you, Mommy.”
Me: “I love you too, baby.”
La Petite Belle: “I’m sorry I disobeyed you today.”
Me: “Oh, baby. I forgive you.’
And I kissed her on the forehead.
Just like that.
So simple. So sincere.
For just a moment, I caught a glimpse of my Father and me.
Was there any chance I would have not forgiven this little girl?
Not even for a second did I think … “Well, I don’t know if I can forgive you, Your sin’s a pretty big one. And you know, you’re just going to keep failing. In fact, I’m kind of getting tired of you asking forgiveness for the same things over and over. I think I’ll hold on to this forgiveness. You’re not worth it.”
But, I put God in that box all the time.
I condemn myself.
He, on the other hand, doesn’t condemn and remains faithful.
Not forgiving La Petite Belle was never an option. It was automatic. It’s built into our character. Holding on to unforgivingness (weird word, I know, but it’s the right one) and bitterness is not. It was never meant to be.
My love for her is way too big.
His love for me is way too big.
Not forgiving is not even an option for Him.
Good analogy girl…and so true. 🙂
Kim F
Good post! Thanks for the reminder.
-FringeGirl
I am so thankful for this!
Seems we learn a lot about God's character when we become parents. Forgiveness is such as big part of parenting.
I've had to ask my kids for forgiveness at times, too.
God is Good!
really good…thanks.
What a wonderful post.
Thank you,
Laura
I needed this reminder today…thanks lovely lady!
I love it.
Not to be super corny – but youre really an inspiration to us moms with small little ones – I pray that I will be able to teach my girls the Love of our Lord like you have yours!
Great post — I needed to be reminded of this today!
Thanks for the great post. I have to ask my kids to forgive me too. Here's another great post on forgiveness that I read today.
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2009/07/585-thinking-god-will-run-out-of.html
Great post. My husband and I are reading Crazy Love (great book by the way) and it was talking about the comparison of our Father's love and earthly parent's love for their children. Amazing – how He give parents a glimpse of the love He has for us through parenting.
Blessings friend,
Amy
Isn't it so wonderful that we learn to become more obedient because of LOVE and not because of fear or condemnation. God is so good and kind and loving!
Awesome. Love this post!
Wow. Powerful and precious.
so, so true! don't you love it when he uses our kids to teach us great truths!
That was beautiful. Sometimes hard to get through my thick head that He really does love me that much, but deep down I know it's true.
I just had to let you know what a gift this post has been to me – I've been thinking about it for days. Thanks 🙂