Kyle and I have walked through Colossians 3 with Keegan & Josie for the past two weeks. It’s the scriptural focus of the message series, Road Trip, they’re watching in LifeKIDS each weekend. I love the fact that our family is focused on this one chapter in scripture. The time spent just reading together has been refreshing.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Col 12 & 14
I wish I could say this has been my demeanor the past few weeks. Yet I’m amazed at how difficult it has been to live this out. Ministry has been challenging, to put it lightly. It seems that the simplest of processes in kids ministry aren’t so simple right now. The level of patience, gentleness, and humility I’ve shown is less than I care to confess.
Why is it when I ask God to increase my patience, gentleness and humility… He likes to show me all the areas where it lacks the most?
I’m Guest Blogging this week with on Swerve with the Kendra Golden. Don’t miss it!
The chapter that impacted me the most from David Staal’s book, Words Kids Need to Hear. Here is #4 of 7 things my kids need to hear from me.
#4…
“I’m sorry, please forgive me”
Here are my swift kicks in the behind…
Authentic authority flows from respect, and sincere apologies foster the connectedness and trust that is necessary for it to lovingly evolve.
Children tend to treat people the way they are treated.
The humility we need comes from a simple truth – everyone messes up and has reasons to apologize. Even to kids. When you approach life convinced of your fallibility, a humble attitude will follow. Just don’t get arrogant about it.
If the thought “I should apologize” comes to mind, then act on it; that’s your heart talking.
Act sooner than later. An apology sometimes arrives too late to have full impact.
Speak clearly and concisely. Limit your words. Work hard to resist the urge to offer excuses and preserve the power of the moment.
Disappointment with mom or dad is tough for a kid to handle.
Parents need to give children opportunities to develop an ability to freely forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.
