Imperfect

Parenting is a scary thing. You have no clue when you bring your baby home, and, in some ways, you're still as clueless when your child is making the transition to adulthood.

I know there isn't a perfect parenting method where we will get it all right, and our kids are guaranteed to grow into paragons of Christian virtue, but it's tempting to think you've found something reasonably close, at least for your family. When things are going well, it's tempting to think you have it under control. 

I had good intentions, but I wonder about them. In an effort to keep my daughter from being hardened by the world, have I let her get soft rather than grow strong? To keep her from growing up too fast, have opportunities to mature slipped by? Because I couldn't protect her from the divorce, am I over-protective in other ways? What are my expectations for her? Are they just my personal aspirations or the Lord's? In trying to juggle both parental roles, have I botched both?

But facing the reality of my imperfection brings me to the end of my best efforts.  I come face to face with a Perfect God  - the One who knows my family and knows what it will take to sanctify us. He isn't under any delusion about me. That's why He knew I needed a Savior.

Maybe the goal isn't picture perfection but to struggle well by His grace.