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Our Perfect Parent

And he [Joseph] arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.  Matthew 2:21, 23

 

I find it significant that God placed the young Jesus in a family. God knew that, with Mary and Joseph's love and guidance, His Son would grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52).

Twenty-one centuries later, this should happen in our families also. Parents are given the privilege--and responsibility--of teaching their children about God and helping them become wise in His ways. Yet we parents often fall short of God's design. When that happens, our children may grow angry and bitter, lashing out at us for the hurts we supposedlly caused.

Did you allow anger and bitterness--even over things that happened many years ago--to poison your relationship with your parents? Don't let your parents' failures--real or imagined--hold you in their grip any longer. Instead, ask God to help you forgive the past. Then ask Christ to change you into the person He wants you to be. And if you are a parent, ask God to help you be a loving and wise guide for your children and to build your family on Christ and His will.

From, HOPE for Each Day: Morning & Evening Devotions, by Billy Graham.