Kids & Parenting

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When our kids were little, at dinner time we would take some time and ask them about the events of their day. Oftentimes there had been something happen that they were not too happy about – they got their feelings hurt, they did something sneaky or wrong, they hurt a friend… we could usually tell before asking them that something was wrong in their spirit. Then at bedtime, we developed a little routine of asking two questions: “What did you do wrong today?” and “What did you do right today?” – the first question gave time, if there was something, to confess it and discuss it. The second gave a chance to acknowledge and appreciate their honesty and effort to work through the situation. Often, if the first question evoked an emotional, the second question was what quieted their hearts before bed. It reminded them that the day was not a total loss, and something redeemable had transpired ….

The dinner conversation would have gone something like this:

“Son, how was your day”

“Fine”

“What did you do today?”

“Nothin’, played at Caleb’s house”.

“was it fun?”

“yeah, I guess so….”

“Did anything happen that you need to tell me about?”

“No! and besides it was his fault!”

“Oh, I see. What happened?”

“...…I sort of hit him.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah I hit him after he bit me and called me stupid.”

“How are you feeling now about all that”

“Not too good. I feel sad and angry”

“Well, let me ask you this….are you stupid?”

“No!”
“Then just because he said that doesn’t make it so, does it? Do you think you need to talk to Caleb about it directly?”

“Yeah… can I call him now?”

“Sounds good…..let’s make the call.”

Then at bedtime, we would then take opportunity to say “What did you do wrong today? and we would discuss that event again. Then we would ask “What did you do right?”

“Nothin’”

“Oh yes you did! You talked to him directly and worked things out. Satan tried to get you to stay mad at each other, so you could not forgive each other, but you took the opportunity to make peace. Well done, son!” (high five, high ten).

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You see, God gives us opportunity every day to do things right. He helps us to seek forgiveness when we have wronged someone, how to extend it when we have been wronged, and make restitution for wrongs we have done. He is all about restoration – first to Himself, and then to one another.

Why not take the time to let God ask you “What did you do wrong today?” ..... for He asks us to: "forgive one another as I have forgiven you."

And then, let the Father show you what you did right today too….. so that you can believe the Word, when it says:

“Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.”

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