What I love most about being a mom is my children's forgetfulness.

I remember many days when, as a mom with small children, I would want to run screaming down the street. You know those days when the bickering never stops, the spilled drinks could cause a flash flood, and "Mom" is seemingly the word to bellow when one is touched by one's sibling! Those days that stretched my patience beyond the limits, when bedtime could not come fast enough still stick in my mind. I remember at day's end, when "Walton style" we would say our goodnights, and I would add, "Sorry Mom was so grouchy today", and from their rooms, I would hear in unison, "That's okay, Mom. You're a good mom"! I want to be able to forgive that easily!

Even now, many years since I have heard those sweet voices coming from the bedrooms in my house, I remember the love that was cheerfully given to that weary mom, and the forgiveness that overflowed, even though I felt undeserving of it.

Now, my grown daughters often say wonderful things to me that sometimes take me aback. I recall all the mistakes I made as a parent. I remember how many times I felt like a failure as a mom, and I wonder why they don't remember my mistakes and failures. But yet, my forgetful children love me. Isn't that grace?

Jesus said that we should all become like little children, and I know why! They are so very forgetful, just as He is. As we ask Him to forgive our sins, the Bible says He also forgets them. They are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness!

Hebrews 8:12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (NIV)

Micah 7:19 – You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (NIV)

It's funny how those we try to instruct often instruct us.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the forgetfulness of children. Thank You that You are forgetful of our forgiven sins, even though we don't deserve it. Help us to be just as forgiving and forgetful of the sins that are committed against us. Amen.

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About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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