I don’t always show it. I’m sure you’re like me—that there’s nothing they can do to make us stop loving them, but do THEY know that? I’m embarrassed to say that there was a time in my life when my youngest daughter didn’t think so. She did something wrong that made me so frustrated that I responded to her with such disappointment that she said, “Daddy, I’m sorry you think I’m such a screw-up.” That shook my world. I grabbed her, hugged her, and reassured her that I’ll always love her and asked her to forgive me for my attitude. There’s good news, though! God restores. Colossians 3:13 says it best: “forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (NLT). As parents, we’ve got to do this BEFORE they even ask.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Suggested Reading: Colossians 3:13