Thought of the Day 05.18.09

Every good thing has two dangers affiliated with it: that of loving it too little and that of loving it too much. Consider parenting. At some point in most mother’s careers, her child will become so angry and frustrated that he will say, “I hate you.” How she responds will reveal a lot.

At one extreme, a mother who cares too little will be indifferent to his verbal assault. Thankfully, this is rare. But at the other extreme, a mother who cares so much that motherhood has actually become her idol will be furious with him for jeopardizing her sense of identity. Her need for his approval has overpowered her natural desire merely to see him be happy. So what’s the healthy response?

Pity.

When a mother’s identity is secure, her heart is free to melt in sympathy for a child experiencing such anguish that he’d lash out this way. Her full acceptance by Christ renders her son’s momentary rejection just a minimal threat to her being.

Now if that’s the proper response of a healthy parent to an extremely hurting child, what might we expect from God when we are angry at Him?