Three Benefits of Parents Being Vulnerable
Vulnerability breeds vulnerability. It’s hard to be the first to step in to that however! The benefits of parents opening up with the struggles and failures we’ve had as Christ followers are life impacting and great pictures of the Gospel of Jesus for our kids. Jessica shows us why we should give it a shot!
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
I can remember countless times growing up where my incredible mother would identify with me when I struggled. In an emotional moment where I felt out of control she would say something like, “Your need to feel in control comes from me. I’m sorry Jess. Let me tell you how I’ve learned to handle it.”
Parents, your vulnerability (as terrifying as it may seem) is one of the very greatest gifts you will give your children. Admitting where you’ve failed to a child you’re asking to follow you seems counterproductive. However, once you’ve sat before the Lord with your failures and asked him to show you how light can shine out of that darkness, you’re in the sweetest spot to teach your kids the Gospel.
When you share how you’ve seen God come through amidst your failures, your home will be set apart in a few ways.
- It will be a home free from SHAME! Shame can include the feelings of being unwanted or unlovable. When poor choices are made and sin occurs, the enemy tempts believers to feel unworthy and unloved though we are ultimately saved by grace and loved completely. Being vulnerable with your kids about your own failures and your understanding of your identity before God will teach them to walk in confidence even when they fail.
- It will be a home shining LIGHT! Your honesty about failure will give your kids room to be honest about their own failure. When you confess past struggles and apologize for current failures, you make yourself approachable and your home becomes one where nothing is in the dark. Not only will your home be safe for your family, but others will see the difference in the light shining from your home.
- It will be a home filled with GRACE. As you begin to identify and understand the grace God has given you for your failures, your kids see it! When they see how much God has forgiven you, they’ll be quicker to accept and understand God’s forgiveness of them. When grace is grasped so tangibly, a household looks different. Your kids will be quicker to forgive one another.
I hope to always live in a home so full of God’s obvious presence others will notice when they see into my life. Living free from shame and living aware of God’s gift of grace will make His light shine SO BRIGHTLY for all the world to see. Living vulnerably before your kids is one way to allow God to show off in your home.
Camper Corner:
- What’s an example of a time your parents have shared something hard (a failure or sin struggle) about themselves with you?
- What is something you can share with your parents that might be hard for you to be open about?
