“God has given parents the responsibility to be gatekeepers of His grace.” p. 164
Our goal as parents is to lead our kids to Jesus and imprint His grace upon their hearts. By experiencing it in our homes and through our relationship with them, their hearts will be cultivated and receptive to His grace.
Dr. Kimmel says, that “Grace can’t be some abstract concept that you talk about in your home…grace must be a real time action (and) quantifiable.” (140). The best time to give them specific gifts of grace is perhaps when it is hardest for us. We have to set aside our selfish desires and instead give God sized grace when our kids are different…
wierd
quirky
strange
or just plain goofy.
By giving them real time grace during these moments we are telling them it is ok for them to display the unique and special way God made them. This reminds me of the movie “Parenthood” with Steve Martin. One of the kids walked around with a bucket on his head. He was fascinated by this. His parents, allowed it and recognized that he was different – they celebrated him. Weird? Quirky? Strange? Yes – but a great visual for me, before I had kids, that sometimes kids do crazy things – and grace in this moment can make all the difference in the world.
Real time grace is also important when our kids are vulnerable or weak. Do you know that our struggles act like a magnet for God’s grace? If you doubt this, read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Dr. Kimmel says, “Grace notices vulnerable people. It’s in constant tune with their hearts.” (170) Who is more vulnerable than our kids? They are small, impressionable, sensitive, filled with wonder and they need our tender touch in their lives. Especially, when they have really blown it, or where they consistently struggle. What would the specific gift of grace look like in that moment for them? For you?
I don’t know about you, but these truths have profoundly impacted my heart. This week, we turn our hearts to the cross, and the ultimate act of Grace on our behalf. We were different, outcast, guilty, and vulnerable. He chose to open the flood gates lavish us with Grace. His real time quantifiable grace was clearly displayed. May we be just like Him.
Stacy, I so needed to read this today. My 5th grader is changing right before my eyes, and this has been on my mind the last several days. I think I really need to read this book!
I think you will love it Cherie! These specific acts of grace are so applicable for our pre-teens! I think when we can give them Grace upon Grace it goes straight to their hearts!
Next week, we’ll close out the book! I’ll be re-reading it again and again!
We are LOVING your Grace Based Parenting posts! Thanks so much for continually encouraging all of us to come back to GRACE.
I especially love your thought at the end about how we too are different, outcast, guilty and vulnerable… BUT Jesus still gave us grace on the cross. AMEN! For this we celebrate this weekend!
Thank you for the opportunity to soak in these truths and share them here! Truly there is not better time to return to Grace! Have a blessed Easter!
Stacey, this was a great summary! I love the part at the end about us needing grace as well!!!! I am sending people your way today (couldn’t get a post up…..not finished yet….and things have been a little crazy, but hey, there is grace for that too!) Thanks for walking through this, I have loved this book so far!
Great post. I really need to read this book! Thanks. 🙂
Well, I am not a parent, but I believe all of us can learn a thing or two from grace. Several blogs that I follow have been talking about grace…hmmm…I wonder if God is trying to teach me something… 🙂
You have me hooked! I am ordering this book. I just have fallen in love with the freedom grace has given me as a parent.
This really does seem like a necessary book to add to my collection. I’m striving to show more grace…but am very much a work in progress. So glad God is gracious! Thanks for this post Stacey.
I’m already captivated at the beginning of the post with this: “Our goal as parents is to lead our kids to Jesus and imprint His grace upon their hearts.” That right there emphasizes so much. Of all that we could “imprint” on our children’s hearts, we need to remember that it’s GRACE that is so important, essential, and beautiful.
Great, great words, Stacey.
(I’m finally able to catching up on reading blog posts. Sorry it’s taken me so long to join in this time. I’ve been loving these grace notes of yours!)