Tempation Island

As any mom knows the difficult part of parenting is learning the fine line between what is too much or too little to share with them at what age.

In my home, we allow our younger children to imagine any thing and they are welcome to tell us all about the fantasy. Jacob (now 7) loved to miss his passions with fantasy stories but seemed to understand a little earlier than the rest what was real and fantasy. Not true with our almost 4 yr old. Boy, those whoppers are outrageous. So, teaching her the art of expression has caused us to make a general rule...if you want to tell us about a story or fantasy, then you need to say that BEFORE you tell anyone....(This seems to be working.) I am sure that some will disagree with our choice in this one, but it isn't bad for her either. Now, she can veer from the truth and know in advance, she will not get into trouble. But when we need her to tell us what happened then she has to leave out the parts that she "wished" had happened.

We have had the difficulty of telling lies with the other older kids. To one of them especially, this has admittedly been a temptation they can't seem to resist. They will lie about anything, no matter how big or small and really think nothing of it until questioned. We simply try to help them see the sin, the Grace God will give them, but also to see the way out before they feel trapped!

I am grateful to the truth of God's love for us in the midst of this fallen world.

1 Corinthians 10:13 declares:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

We just don't always want to see that in many circumstances the "way of escape" is to declare the truth, admit we are in the wrong place or heading down the wrong path and be willing to humble ourselves to find the exit.

I have learned in my own sinful nature as well as watching my young children that the temptation only gets our attention. The selfishness generally takes us toward it but pride is what determines our fall.

I pray that when I am on the wrong path, I will see the way of escape how ever it appears and that I will be willing to walk through the door. Father, thank you for the Grace you provide to us, when we look in the way of temptation, or even walk into that temptation....you are there to love us and clean us. Let us have a grateful heart and be aware of the fallen world that would try to make us stumble, or even forget that you supplied us with forgiveness. Open our eyes Lord, and hold us close. Amen.