The Bradleys

Mother’s Day Gift

I don't have a song-story this month, but I have a song of praise to sing! I want to thank God for using my imperfections in parenting. I just spent three hours in deep discussion with my thirteen-year-old son about spiritual things. It is our families habit to read and have devotions every evening before bed. Tonight, Kabe and I talked long after his dad and sister had fallen asleep.

He was remembering the day he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He shared with me things I didn't know about how God had worked in his life to bring him to salvation. I was amazed at how a six-year-old kid could recognize the voice of God and answer His call. I'm so thankful the answer was "Yes, Lord." Well, back to my imperfections. You see, for the past seven years I've been sharing the story of how God used one of my worst days of parenting to bring about one of the best blessings I've ever received. It was one of those days when my nerves were frayed and just I blew it all day long. I lost my temper and yelled at my son. I don't remember what it was it was that upset me. I do remember that I was wrong, and God convicted me. I had to apologize to my Lord and to my six-year-old.

When I went into his bedroom that night to say our prayers, I said I was sorry for my bad behavior that day. I told him I loved him, and I wanted to be a good mother. I told him that I was trying so hard to teach him right from wrong, but this time I was wrong and that God let me know it. His answer was, " Mom, I want to get saved."

I couldn't have been more shocked, or more humbled. Here, I'd been fussing at him all day. I felt like a tyrant. And then after one simple apology, God turns it all around and blesses me with what I'd been praying for since before Kabe was even born! Somehow, my asking forgiveness of my son, helped him to see his need for forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. I marvel at how God can even use our imperfections for His glory! We saw a change in Kabe's behavior. God changed that six-year-old kid! We also saw a desire in him to serve the Lord. Thank God for the work of His Holy Spirit!
Tonight, my son shared with me many of the puzzle pieces that I hadn't known about. How a minister he'd heard preach a couple of weeks earlier had stirred his heart, and he knew then he was lost and needed Jesus. And how several other events in his young life led him to the realization that he wanted to know God personally.

I'm so blessed to be an imperfect mother with an imperfect son who knows the Perfect Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the eternal Mother's Day gift!

Jennifer McCallister
The Bradleys
http://www.thebradleys.net