Whoever coined the phrase "terrible twos," must have been talking about their firstborn. They hadn't gotten to age three yet. In our house, age 2 was a breeze compared to age 3. Age 2 is sweet, cute, and fairly compliant. Age 3 is full of tantrums, whining, strong opinions, and outright defiance.
I've struggled with this.
My natural self wants to swell up with anger and just force obedience out of my 3-year-old. Some days, I want to forget about smiling and laughing and just let the day be miserable for both of us. The whiny, defiant child deserves that, right?
Wrong.
Before going to bed last night, I was confessing to the Lord all the ways I had fallen short that day. It didn't take long for me to see that my own actions before God had mirrored my 3-year-old. As the shame of that settled in, I wondered, "How do I expect God to respond?"
Forgiveness. I expect Him to give me His Spirit to teach me how to walk in victory over my sin. I expect a fresh start and new mercies. I expect Him to give me the armor of God and to show me how to use it.
Doesn't my 3-year-old need the same from me? Forgiveness. Giving. Teaching. Victory. Fresh start. New mercies. Showing him.
Yes.
This morning, 1 Samuel 12:23 was the confirming word. It says, "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that should sin again the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way."
I whispered these words as my 3-year-old played in front of me, encouraged in the parenting ahead of me today.
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