Potty training. Learning or teaching, we’ve all been there. If it’s been a while since you were potty trained or had to potty train anyone, please allow me to remind you… Remember all the accidents, messes, laundry, extra clothes, crying and stubbornness? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t, but that’s my life right now.
My wife and I are at least six months into potty training our oldest daughter. For the most part, she’s doing great and we’re proud of her and it’s such a unique time to be a parent. Why? Because the little girl that I love so much can bring out so many emotions in me. Potty training hasn’t gone perfectly and I’m not a perfect parent, but I still love my daughter despite the struggles that have come. I can’t do it on my own though. There have been times where my head has been in my hands while I pray for patience and the love of Jesus.
God is teaching me in these moments. Never would I have thought that God would choose to grow me as a parent and as a disciple through potty training my children. The biggest thing I’ve been learning is that at the end of the day the accidents, messes, piles of laundry, crying or stubbornness do not matter. I still love my daughter.
In the same way, no matter the accidents, messes, crying, stubbornness…the SIN that I have in my life, God still loves me. He doesn’t just love me though; He CHOOSES to love me. The recent celebration of Easter weekend proves it in that He gave His Son, Jesus, to die in my place for my sin so that I could have eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Don’t forget this when you’re stuck in the “accidents” and “messes” of your life. Don’t forget it because I know it’s easier to just wallow in whatever sin you’re dealing with rather than seeking God’s face and leaning into Him.
We heard from the Hymn Project video this month about the hymn, “His Mercy Is More.” If it isn’t by the grace, if it isn’t by the mercy of God, our sins alone would lead us to eternal separation from Him.
But John Newton reminds us…
“Our sins are many, but His mercies are more: our sins are great, but His righteousness is greater: we are weak, but He is power.”
Acts 3:19 says, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
We have a patient and loving God. It may seem harder to run to Him, but it’s not. He still loves His children. Lean on Him.
Pastor Joel Farber
Joel Farber is the Worship Pastor at Friendship Church. He grew up in Minnesota and moved to the Prior Lake area in 2013 to work for Friendship Church as a Worship Associate. Joel and his family love Friendship Church. Other than his love for Jesus, Joel will first describe himself as a husband and father. He met his wife, Hannah, during a Wednesday night service at the Prior Lake campus in 2014 and the rest is history. They have two girls named Zoey and Ava.