God and Christopher Robin

God and Christopher Robin

Anyone that knows me knows that I love to read Jen Hatmaker's books, blogs, devotionals, etc.  I just finished reading her devotional for moms called "Out of the Spin Cycle". It was filled with encouragement for moms but one particular point stood out to me. She talks about how our idea of who God is can be formed from our relationship with our parents. The idea of that scared me to death! She acknowledges that as we grow older and mature that we are able to realize that God is nothing like any human that we might try to equate Him to. However, while we are children we might form the idea that God isn't forgiving, holds grudges, with holds love, is easy to anger (Yikes! Not that I am easily angered or anything :),etc.

I thought of the many  times that I have lost my temper, spoken words that were deflating instead of encouraging, and the times that I have been unforgiving. I in no way want my children to think that God is ANYTHING like me. I fail so often and He never does.

 I decided to talk to my children about this at our morning devotional time. I told them about how I had read that children will sometimes think of God as behaving or acting like their parents. I told them that of course their father and I don't always react perfectly or handle things exactly the way that we should. I explained how God was forgiving and when they come to Him and confess their sin that He forgives them instantly and He NEVER thinks of their sin again. He doesn't shame them or hold it against them. They can ALWAYS start clean. They can NEVER stray too far for God to accept them back instantly and love them unconditionally. He never withholds His love for them.

 The responses I got were interesting to say the least. Isaac immediately responded with his father's personality and wit saying, "Oh, don't worry, I know God is nothing like you or Dad."  Hmmm....very glad he understands the concept but not so sure how to feel about mine and Erik's examples. Apparently, we make the distinction very clear for him. At least he gets the concept.

Then came the most perplexing response of all....Mallory. She never ceases to surprise me. Her response was that she imagines God as a giant Christopher Robin.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...... I really have no words. Christopher Robin does seem kind and caring. I get that. However, what is really perplexing is that I could probably count on one hand how many times she has watched Winnie the Pooh or read any Winnie the Pooh books. We just aren't Winnie the Pooh people. I never watched it much so I just don't think about having my kids watch it or read the books.

So, in my attempt to teach a great lesson I came out of the lesson feeling a little confused, defeated, and laughing at my daughter's ability to keep me thinking. However, I feel like maybe the thought was planted  in their minds and I am going to try to remind my children daily that God is better than anything that we can imagine!! He will ALWAYS love us, in spite of our sin and bad decisions. He holds no record of wrongs. He isn't sarcastic and demeaning. If we make a bad decision we can bring the effects of that decision to Him and He can help us make something beautiful from it. We can't imagine or fathom His grace and love. That is the greatest concept that I hope they learn and carry with them forever.