I do not know about you, but I do guilt very well. At times, it seems like I might feel guilty for almost anything. Also, as a parent I mess up routinely. I can be short with my temper and my words are not always pleasant. Also, there seems to be a new parenting article out daily that tells you how to parent and of course it feels like to me anyway that I always come up short. My hunch is I am not the only one that feels that way. So, how do I have the audacity to come up with an article entitled, Guilt Free Parenting? Actually, it was not totally my idea. God placed the idea and burden on my heart to share it with you.

Lets look at Psalm 139:16, Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Basically, before you were born God marked out your days and may I add also your childrens days. God has a plan for you and He has one for your children as well.

What does all of this have to do with guilt free of price parenting? Im glad you asked. God is truly in control of your life and your childrens lives as well. We cannot always see His hand or plan, but He is there. That means on our worst parenting days God is still working His plan in our lives and in our childrens lives in spite of us. There have been so many times in the Bible where at first glance Gods plan did not generate sense and then on later inspection it made perfect sense. So, when we are not doing a nice job of being parents, God is still working in our lives and our childrens lives.

I want to quickly say this does not give us permission to say, I do not have to parent, God is in control. Im not saying that at all. What I am quote is quit beating yourself up when you feel you have not done a nice job or had a less than stellar parenting moment. God does not expect us to be perfect parents or have perfect children. If He expected that or required that we would not positive need Jesus.

May I suggest when you have that guilty feeling or bad parenting moment run to God and readmit how much you positive need Him. Also, rest in Him and thank Him that He is still in control and His plan will happen. Sometimes I even say, God these are your children too and I understand you love them even more than I do, please help me. Give me strength to be the parent you would have me be.

Guilt Free Parenting means relying on our Abba Father and trusting Him to guide us in parenting our children. It means we wont be perfect, but we might rest assured that God is still working out His plan in all of our lives. To me Guilt Free Parenting means realizing how deeply I absolutely need God and His wisdom in every area of my life and how I absolutely need to run to Him daily for strength and encouragement.

Can I promise you that if you truly realize how God is in control of your life and your childrens life that you wont feel guilty? I wish I could. I have to admit I still feel guilty from instant to instant. Im learning and resting in my Abba Father who loves and cares for me and who has a perfect plan for my life and for my children as well. Im so thankful Im not parenting alone, but with someone who is the Perfect Parent. So, are you willing to try Guilt Free Parenting for a change? I think you will like living without guilt.