Devotional 8-2-19

Hope from the Shoot

Being a parent is difficult no matter what the child’s age.  Hosea 11: 1-11 reminds us of God’s love for Israel.  The more He tried, the more they disobeyed.  His love is strong but they do not appreciate that love. He tries many different approaches such as “Tough Love,” but they even begin to worship false idols.  God searches for the delicate balance in order to nurture, teach, instill discipline, and love for one another.

This balance is the greatest goal that any parent must face.  In today’s society, this challenge of being a parent is especially difficult. It can be a heart breaking experience and totally devastating because of the current drug crisis that has attacked our population. Some parents are blessed with that wonderful balance and never have to deal with the worship of the “drug idol.”  I am one of the blessed in raising my daughter, but I have seen close parents “wail” at the total agony in seeing their child being literally swallowed by the addiction of drugs. They struggle to help but to no avail. Any child can succumb, there is no “type.” The worship of this idol means more than family or parent. I saw some parents totally give up.

As a high school counselor, I remember that for quite a while the popular approach of the philosophy of so called “tough love” was recommended.  God tried this with his children but eventually decided that was not the answer.  The answer was not to abandon but to love.  The approach changed in society so that help was love, understanding, and support.

In Colossians 3: 1-11 God wants us to be aware of the following: the power of prayer, the cross, power of forgiveness, the depth of his love, and need for patience.  All of these are characteristics of a Christian. Only through the acceptance of a higher power can we keep that parent’s love strong. I have seen this acceptance eventually give a parent peace in dealing with the devastation.  The child eventually accepting Grace from God in his life. It can sometimes take years but the patience and love of a parent can help it happen.

In Isaiah 11: we learn that the royal line of David will be chopped down like a tree but from the stump will grow a shoot.  This shoot will be Hope of the coming of the Jesus.  He will bring hope and love to the people   What greater love can parent give than the Hope of God’s Grace as God gave the people of Israel?

 

Carol L. Brown