Summary: Years ago I was getting ready for a trip and becoming more frustrated every minute. The boys still weren’t in bed, my suitcases weren’t packed, and it was getting late. It was my own fault, but the whole family had to suffer with me. When I finally went to my bedroom that night, I found a little note on my pillow. It read, “Dad is mad. I am sad. I’m not glad, ‘cuz Dad is mad.” And I added, “So Lord, change Dad.” It was signed by all my four boys. I’ll tell you, that humbled me. I went to each bed and hugged my boys and kissed them and asked for their forgiveness. Parents, like their children, make sinful mistakes. No one is perfect, but when we do make mistakes we betray the trust between child and parent, and that must be repaired. The Bible says in Colossians, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This week as you make mistakes as a child or a parent, be quick to ask forgiveness and clean up any mess in your life. As we humble ourselves we set an example of how mistakes are meant to be handled: with repentance, forgiveness, and a willingness to quickly make things right. This is Luis Palau.
