Parenting and Weakness

Have you ever noticed that when we assume positions of authority it seems as if they bring out in us a "need" to be seen as strong, without fault? We're all guilty of putting people on a pedestal at times; but on the flip side, we ourselves often want to be on a pedastal in the eyes of those "following" us.

Admittedly, it would seem like we have to portray ourselves as always right and without fault to our kids in order to "boost morale"... but, the truth is - it's our weaknesses that give us strength. As parents, there is such a temptation to set ourselves up as prototypes of God... all knowing, all seeing, always right... but we aren't given a place of authority over our children because we're "like God", but rather to point them TO a righteous, holy, perfect God and their need for Him.

Example? Let's say I get angry with my kids and yell at them. I have two approaches I can take:
1) I can justify my anger. After all, I AM their mom, I KNOW better, and I'M RIGHT in my anger.
2) I can acknowledge my sin openly before my children, repent in front of them, and ask their forgiveness.
See how option 1 sets me up as a prototype of God (I won't even go into what a warped theology this would give my kids); and option 2 gives me the opportunity to point my children TO God, while modeling repentance for them?

When I am weak, He is strong.
Because parenting isn't about proving to my kids how good I am, but how good God is.

One of the best things I can do as a mother is to show my children that I am weak,  and I am a sinner... It is Christ who makes me strong. Being a good parent doesn't require perfection. Being a good parent requires a humble, broken devotion to the Redeemer that is clearly seen by our children.

This is something that my husband has taught me by example... something I'm still daily trying to remind myself of.

When I am weak,
              He is strong.
                  2 Corinthians 12:10