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A major responsibility of parents is to teach their children how to obey and how to behave appropriately. In most families, some days are better than others, especially when it comes to obedience. Occasionally, when we had a particularly trying day, I would speak with my child in private and ask the question, "What do you think Jesus thinks about this?"  I often heard answers such as: "He is mad at me" or worse  "He does not like me any more." Answers like these always saddened me; however, I was able to get a glimpse into my child's heart and then speak about God's Truth.

Although it is natural to think that God is mad at us when we turn away from Him or when we disobey, those thoughts are not based on Truth. Scripture is full of God's affirmations of His love for us and His benevolent thoughts toward us. In 1 John 4:10, we are told, "This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (NIV) Ephesians 2:4-5 states, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." (NIV)

God's love for us is perfect, complete and there is nothing that we can do to change His love for us. He accepts us just as we are, including our imperfections and our disobedience. Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the infinite love God has for us nor the depth of His grace and mercy. We are so precious to Jesus that He carries us in the palm of His hands.

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