Scripture Twist [CHOOSING JOY by Katie Albers]

So I admit it.  I made a major parenting blunder tonight.

The house was a wreck and it was about an hour before pajama time so I suggested to my kids that we turn up some music, dance while we pick-up, and then reward ourselves with a chocolate kiss afterward.  I thought it sounded like a great idea!  My six-year-old son did not.

Immediately the whining began.  “I don’t like picking up!  I don’t want to help.”  I repeated the terms of, what I felt was, a very generous offer to assist me but to no avail.  So finally I sighed,  “Fine.  Well, if you’re not going to help then I don’t want to see you.  Go somewhere else and play.”  Realizing that my attempt at a guilt trip really just let him off the hook, he hurried out.

I started cleaning up, feeling deflated about our encounter.  Ten minutes later he came into the kitchen where I was begrudgingly emptying the dishwasher and asked me to help him with his legos.  What I should have said was, “Sure I will help you!  The Bible tells us to treat others the way that we want to be treated, and I love it when you help me when I ask for it.  So since you asked me, I will help!”  However, what I actually said was, “No I will not help you.  The Bible says that we should treat others the way that we want to be treated and by not helping me when I asked you to earlier, you showed me that you don’t want me to help you.”

Yikes!  Talk about twisting scripture!  Lord, please forgive me!  Because of my own selfishness, I missed a perfect opportunity to share God’s Word in its proper context with my son!

Before bed, I went to my son and apologized for my words, and I explained the true meaning of “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 (NIV)  I thank God for His disciplining hand upon my heart after those initial encounters and for giving me this second opportunity to get it right.  I praise Him that His glory can shine even when I so terribly stumble.