Parenting Through the Lens of Grace

Parenting can be overwhelming, but those tough moments reveal our need and give us the opportunity to turn to Christ, depending on Him for strength and help.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart, especially after a night of toddler tantrums. Recently, my husband and I painfully had to take away some of our son’s favorite items—gifts we had once given him—because he broke them in anger. As I surveyed the mess, the damage cut deeper than the shattered toys. I felt a profound ache, realizing this must be just a glimpse of what God feels when we rebel against Him.

Sin Is Damaging

In that moment, I saw more than broken pieces of plastic—I saw the brokenness we all carry.

As parents, we long to give our children good things, just as God wants good for us. But much like my son’s tantrum, our sin damages God’s intended best. It robs us of the beauty and joy God desires for us. I rarely stop to consider how God’s heart must grieve when He disciplines us. Yet as I corrected my child, I felt a tinge of that heart-stopping, throbbing grief.

Why can’t my son just choose what’s right? The answer, already known, sat heavy on my heart—because sin breaks us.

Sin doesn’t just affect what we do—it’s who we are without Christ.

On Our Own, We Are Hopeless Sinners

Parenting has a way of uncovering our brokenness, doesn’t it?

When my children act out, it often reveals my neediness, my struggle with anger, control, and impatience. My son’s outbursts reveal the hard truth that sin is present and thriving. Children sin instinctively—and so do we.

Like strong-willed toddlers, we resist God. We want our own way. We damage what is good. And in our rebellion, we push against a relationship with the very One who offers us life. Without Christ, we can’t change this. No strategy, resolution, or effort is enough—we need a Savior.

No One Does Good

Scripture doesn’t soften the truth. Psalm 14:3 says, “There is none who does good, not even one.” Our loving Heavenly Father, who desires a relationship with us, looks down and sees His children in rebellion—bent on pursuing independence rather than intimacy with Him.

Friend, apart from Christ, no one is righteous. This has been true since the day we were born. It’s embedded in our DNA. So, what do we do? Admit what we can’t do. We pray—and pray continuously! We seek God’s instruction, mercy, and strength instead of relying on our own understanding. Even our best intentions and instincts are flawed at best.

We Need Christ

God meets our desperate need with His Son. 

Christ, who knew no sin, was regarded as sin so that we can have living hope on this side of Heaven. Sin shows us our deep need for a Savior, and that Savior, Jesus Christ, went to the cross so that we can live—and flourish—in a restored relationship with God. What wonderful, life-changing hope 2 Corinthians 5:21 offers: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV)

Christ’s work on the cross is the great exchange that allows God to see and declare us righteous. 

Just as worldly authorities treated Christ as a sinner, though guiltless, God now treats us as righteous, though guilty. This is righteousness—God’s great mercy that heals our brokenness and brings us back to Him.

Remember

This isn’t our work—it’s God’s. Parenting, much like our walk with Him, is full of hard moments that expose our limits. But even in the mess, God’s grace holds firm. Through Christ, He sees us not as failures, but as beloved children clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

So when parenting feels impossible—when the tantrums, the messes, and the heartache pile up—look to Christ. He is your strength. He is your hope. And He is the one who creates beauty from broken things.

 In His Word

Read Romans 3:21-26 (ESV). What stands out? How does knowing Christ died for your sins help you show mercy to your children when they sin?

In Your Life

Is there a mess sin has made in your life? Pray about it, grieve over it, and ask God to help you release it so you can embrace the good things God wants for you.

Photos courtsey of Pexels.com