Bible-Prayer-Europe Equipping Center

Audio Abba Father Chapter 9 click here

Abba Father

ABBA FATHER GIVES ME FREEDOM TO MAKE MISTAKES

One of the main lessons that my son has repeatedly learned through the years is "how to make correct choices." Every day of his life he has had to make choices. As a parent, I could give wise counsel, but the choice to follow it was left up to my son.

 Even as a baby, my son could make certain choices. For example, he could choose to eat his oatmeal, spit it out, or wear the bowl on his head.

In certain things, there was no choice. There could be no room allowed for mistakes.

For example, my little son would choose not to have a vaccination shot that could protect him from childhood diseases.

Therefore, in the area of vaccinations he was given no choice. My son was taken to the doctor for his immunizations and no amount of crying or pleading could persuade me, as his parent, not to take him.

Having the freedom to choose means having the freedom to possibly make the wrong decisions.

However, without the opportunity to choose there can be no opportunity for growth. There is no learning opportunity without the ability to choose.

When my son was a toddler I had to choose his clothes. I had to make all the decisions. I had to choose the color and make sure his outfit was appropriate for the place and the season of the year.

But as he learned by watching and listening-- while I dressed him-- he began to want to dress himself.

He quickly learned that sandals were not meant for winter and that a winter coat was not comfortable in the summer.

However, his matching of colors and patterns took a little longer to learn.

My son learned by watching, listening, and trying things. He found out the "why" of many things that I did as a parent.

For example, he found out why I suggested spoons were appropriate for ice cream and not forks. He learned why I insisted that napkins be used at meal times.

He learned why I said do not open a can of pop after it has been shaken – unless you want to take an "early" bath.

My son was allowed to make certain mistakes as he was growing up.

My son needed to learn early the words--- STOP, NO, and WAIT.

For example, he needed to learn the word "stop" with his tricycle – long before he ever drove a car up to a stop sign.

He needed to learn the consequences for disobedience to these words before the results of disobedience could become devastating.

As a parent, I had to trust my son as he grew up to make proper decisions.

As a parent, I wanted to be able to give my son directions and come back and find that he had followed them exactly – without me having to stand there and supervise him.

What a blessing it was when I could say to my son, "Company’s coming – clean your room and your bathroom." and I did not have to go back two or three times and say – "You missed this, or you did not pick up that etc."

I could just tell my son to do it and I could count on it being done and done correctly. There would be no embarrassment for him or me, as a parent.

Sometimes, as a parent, I was less hard on my son when he made a mistake than he was on himself.

I was simply interested in what my son had learned from the situation. I did not want him to make the same mistake again. I wanted to see how much that he had grown.

All my son could see was "the mistake" that he had made.

Dear Abba Father,

Thank You that You do not see my mistakes – You see only me and my heart. Thank You for allowing me to learn and have "hands-on" practice while growing up.

Even, when it hurts, and it is hard, and I feel like quitting--- You quietly comfort and encourage me to "try again".

My failures-- You turn into success, as I put You first in my life. You cause all things to work out for my good.

Help me to remember when I face a "big" challenge-- that You feel I am ready to make the correct decision.

Thank You for being "firm" with me and not allowing me run from my mistakes. Instead, You help me to conquer them. In You I am victorious over everything!

Thank You in Jesus' Name.

I Love You.

Your child.