Navigating Teenage RebellionSample

Day 9: Covered With Love 

Our teens often felt we were judgmental, pharisaical, and narrow-minded. I didn’t feel that way, but realize the enemy does whatever he can to hinder and confuse relationships. Instead of reacting to my teens, I asked the Lord for the ability to listen, love, and graciously walk away, if needed. When I realized the battle was not personal, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see passed my own selfishness and be able to reach out to our hurting teens. In the middle of difficult conversations, I found myself saying, “Son, do you know that I love you? Do you know that you have an enemy who is trying to keep you from God’s best for your life?” Then I would walk away. I knew the fight was not mine.

We intentionally worked to build and restore our relationship with our teens. We sought to better understand them and for ways to laugh together. This laughter was medicine for our souls. (See Proverbs 17:22.) During this crazy, confusing time, the Lord changed our relationships and did a great work in all of us. I learned to focus on my love of the sinner—NOT the sin. My mother bear heart broke, but my intimacy with and trust in the Lord grew. This made me a better mother.

I began to see that they didn’t understand—actually, neither did I. However, we were family. By God’s power, I learned to love the sinners as Christ loved me. As I yielded to the work of the Holy Spirit, I learned to cover their sin with His love. This in no way altered the consequences, but I was able to see them in a clearer light—the light of the Gospel. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (See Romans 5:8.)