Monday, March 22, 2010
Be Flexible!
During the season of Lent, we have been doing a nightly Lenten devotion with our children.
On one Wednesday evening, the scripture was James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."
We decided to go around the table and have each person confess one sin we wanted to work on. Then we would commit to praying for each other.
Trying to set a good example, I started. We decided to go in age order around the table. All was going well, and I even felt a sense of accomplishment as I heard my cherubs confessing the sins I already saw in them. One of my better parenting moments, I thought.
One by one oldest to youngest...WAIT! One of my younger children (I'll not reveal any more than this about the child) said, "I don't have anything that I do wrong."
Well, we were all dumbfounded. I shot an emergency look at my husband who smiled and said, "She's right, she's a perfect child."
To that, all of the other kids chimed in (at the same time) with sins that they thought she could use some help with.
There goes my perfect mommy moment, I thought.
"STOP!" I said, firmly! "No one is allowed to tell of a sin you see in another's life, because that is being judgmental!"
Then, sheepishly, my sweet daughter said, "Maybe I am a little mean to my siblings from time to time, so let's pray about that."
Ahhh, back to the proud mama status. *smile*
You see, when doing Bible studies with your children, be flexible because you just never know what they might say or do. Anything is possible!
On one Wednesday evening, the scripture was James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."
We decided to go around the table and have each person confess one sin we wanted to work on. Then we would commit to praying for each other.
Trying to set a good example, I started. We decided to go in age order around the table. All was going well, and I even felt a sense of accomplishment as I heard my cherubs confessing the sins I already saw in them. One of my better parenting moments, I thought.
One by one oldest to youngest...WAIT! One of my younger children (I'll not reveal any more than this about the child) said, "I don't have anything that I do wrong."
Well, we were all dumbfounded. I shot an emergency look at my husband who smiled and said, "She's right, she's a perfect child."
To that, all of the other kids chimed in (at the same time) with sins that they thought she could use some help with.
There goes my perfect mommy moment, I thought.
"STOP!" I said, firmly! "No one is allowed to tell of a sin you see in another's life, because that is being judgmental!"
Then, sheepishly, my sweet daughter said, "Maybe I am a little mean to my siblings from time to time, so let's pray about that."
Ahhh, back to the proud mama status. *smile*
You see, when doing Bible studies with your children, be flexible because you just never know what they might say or do. Anything is possible!
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6 comments:
I'm glad you stopped them from telling sins on one another. Wow. Tough moment, glad it got resolved well!
There's nothing like the truth to set one straight! Praise God!
Ya just never know what those sweet cherubs might say. Loved the story Hon.
God bless ya and have a fantastic week!!!
We have to be careful pointing out the sins of others because none of us is perfect. I know I am not. Great story.
This looks like it was a great opportunity to teach the right way to show someone their sin (speaking the truth in love) vs the condemning way. It's a hard lesson. :)
I love that your sweet little daughter humbled her heart.
What a great exercise! We are "saltier" Christians if we develop the practice of confession!
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