How many times have you said that to your son or daughter—when it WASN’T true? I struggle with it. Are we lying to them? Some soccer leagues give kids trophies even when they lose EVERY game. Professionally, I hate it when somebody tells me how great I did when I know I was terrible. What’s the answer? Ephesians tells us to speak the truth in love. Yet, Paul in Philippians says to strive for the prize. Ask your kids if they did their best. If they say, “Yes, but it wasn’t good enough” or “I was trying, but it just kept getting worse,” tell them that’s exactly like our walk with Christ—we keep practicing, we try harder, but only Jesus can make us right with God.

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 4:15,, Philippians 3:14