by Lisa Limburg-Weber, Children's Ministry Council secretary
My three children give me plenty of opportunity to review (again and again) the biblical principles of healthy relationships: “Tell him you were wrong.” “Tell her you forgive her.” “What do you need to do to make it right with your brother?” And, my favorite, “You might feel like hitting him, but that’s never the best way of solving your problem.” From my vantage point as a relationship coach (unpaid, unfortunately!), I find myself reading Psalm 32 from a different perspective.
In this psalm, David peels back the surface of his devotional life, sharing again—for our benefit—the lessons God has written on his heart. “Let me give you some good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight,” says David in verse 8 (The Message).
The pain of distance from God due to unconfessed sin is real, David tells us. It wastes our bones, dries our strength, keeps us in misery by day and by night. But just as real is the forgiveness God offers, and oh, the joy of being right with God! It’s one of those moments of clarity for David, when the beauty of being reconciled with God overflows into thanksgiving and the desire to share the happiness of his relationship with God with others.
And so I see again, as I do so often as a parent, that the relational lessons my children are learning are the same ones God needs me to understand: Be real, humble, and honest before me! Hurry to confess and make things right, before your peace is consumed by bitterness! Revel in the happiness of right relationship with your Deliverer!
May we, in this Lenten season, not miss the sweetness of the simple lessons that every child of God needs to hear—again, and again, and again.
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