Dear friend,
When you set up idealistic, unrealistic visions for your children you are doomed to suffer anxiety attacks as you see your dreams frequently shattered. Yes, they will sin. Yes, they will disappoint you. But not any less than you and I disappoint our Lord daily. We often set expectations higher than what we set for ourselves.
I am not discouraging you from pursuing faithful discipline and habits and expectations for your children, but I am discouraging you from your perfectionism. A friend often says, “God is perfect, but he is not a perfectionist.” So, too, we imitate our Father in heaven by refusing to follow the anxiety-ridden culture that sees a child’s inabilities to reach some stated goal as a cosmic curse. Every time your child does not meet that idealist expectation, give thanks to God. After all, it was probably your expectation for that child and not God’s. And, you see, you should desire your unbalanced expectations to die daily and God’s expectations to thrive daily.
Ultimately, what I am saying is, “relax.” Jesus loves you and He wants you mentally capable of handling parenting. Your stresses aid nothing to your child’s development, but your peace and persistent love will aid in 1,000 different ways. More on this soon.
Mighty cheers,
Pastor Uriesou Brito
