Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What attributes of God are named in this verse?
2. When are they best displayed?
3. What is the result in our lives?
Reflect
The apostle Paul wrote today’s verse in the context of a physical limitation he faced, but its meaning applies to many areas of life, including parenting. So many parents feel inadequate and at a loss. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it does come with a lot of pressure. Our children are constantly changing, which means our parenting approach has to constantly change.
Weakness is to be expected, and it can come from any number of things: lack of sleep, emotional outbursts (the kids’ and ours), mental gymnastics… the list goes on. When we’re in a challenging season, different voices constantly try to speak into our minds. Satan accuses and condemns. God may convict and redirect, but it’s always done in a tone of love.
We all have weaknesses, but God’s grace is there to cover us. Shame, failure, inadequacy, feeling like we’ve blown it – Paul says it’s all an opportunity to display God’s power more fully. The next generation is watching us. They don’t need perfection. They need authentic faith fueled by God’s grace.
Respond
What small daily choices can you make to embrace God’s grace in your parenting or in a mentoring context? Write down at least two practical things you can do today, and follow through on one of them.
Want some ideas? Check out our parent resources at tpcc.org/parents!
Week Review: Make It Stick
Look back at the small daily choices you wrote down each day this week. Which one stands out as most important to continue beyond this week in order to get the cumulative effect you hope for? Write it down, and share with someone else for accountability.