August #jammed: Reflecting on Grace.

Day 239: Integrity.

“Search me through and through—from my deepest longings to every thought that crosses my mind.” Psalm 26:2 (VOICE)

Determining what to expose our children to becomes tricky business when we start to worry about who we might offend. No one wants to be the party pooper, but no good comes from exposing kids to things they’re not ready to digest. That being said, despite our efforts to shelter them from outside exposure, there are nerves our children press that trigger our explicatives.

Let me encourage all of us today by referring to Psalm 26:2. (Ironic, that one of the hardest elements of parenting can be correlated with a verse with numbered 26.2, because it sure does feel like a marathon.)

“Search me though and through- from my deepest longings to every thought that crosses my  mind.”

In today’s verse, David is asking God to search his heart. To reveal any malicious intent and dishonoring thought processes. The NIV Study Bible explains it this way:

An appeal for God to take account of David’s moral integrity, his unwavering trust and his genuine delight in the Lord—not a boast of self-righteousness, such as that of the Pharisee. NIV Study Bible Notes

God knows the intent of our hearts, and trying to teach our children in a way that honors Him will honor Him …and He has mercy on us. His name is Jesus. We can’t get it right all of the time, and not matter how hard we try to protect our kids from others, and even our own bad behavior, we are still imperfect people …and they will be, too. When we walk with Christ,  powerful things happen in situations of doubt and sin.

Forgiveness. Protection. Guidance. Love.

It’s always going to be hard to protect our kids from every bad influence. But we can pray to the Father that promises to listen, and seek Him in His Word. We can talk to Him frankly about what worries and concerns we have, concessions for times we lose our cool, and for patience to have patience. He’s not expecting us …or them …to be perfect. He knows our hearts, and whether we are ill-intended or acting in faith …His love is unchanging. #grace

Father, Praise You for forgiving us and protecting us, and our children. Thank Your sending Jesus to us so that we may be forgiven and remain in Your presence. Forgive us for trying to control our children’s situations too much, and for when we slip up and set the worst example ourselves. Bless us with stronger faith, and a walk with Christ that shapes our hearts to be more like His everyday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Wording,

Megs

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