Your Child Will End Up in Counseling

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Let me remind you of a profound fact: You are not God.
No matter how hard you try to never hurt or disappoint your child, you are too utterly capable of failing miserably in everything you do. Because they themselves are also sinful individuals and they live amongst a planet full of sinful individuals, you can guarantee that your child will end up in counseling someday, despite your best efforts.

Rather than discouraging you to the point of adopting a “Why bother trying then?” attitude, I present this proposition: Embracing the reality that you will make mistakes will actually free you to be a better parent!

If, as mentioned in part one, you are responsible for teaching a child how to function in the world as a human being, then your representation of an equally flawed human living in the world makes you an opportune teacher. When you make a mistake, you can demonstrate the healing qualities of saying, “I'm sorry.” When the child hurts you, you can demonstrate the blessing of forgiveness. Who else but someone who has seen firsthand the results of your own miserable failures, can teach your child that decisions have consequences for good and bad? When you are sad or angry as a result of the world's injustice or suffering, you can teach them how to navigate those feelings and turn to the Lord who can heal.

If, as mentioned in part two, you are partnering in the restoration of this child created by God, then you, knowing you are a highly flawed person, can take this responsibility in a more humble, circumspect manner. Ultimately, it is God doing the work in your child's life and He can take your mistakes as a parent and work even those for the good of your child. Recognizing that you are going to make mistakes should force you to rely on God for patience, wisdom and love.

So, take heart in the fact that your child will end up in counseling! Do your best, be humble in light of your assured flaws, lean on the Lord, and rest in the fact that God is the Wonderful Counselor.


[Part 3 of 4 in the "Your Child..." series]

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