Partners in Parenting

“HONK --- Nothing!?”

I was coming home Sunday evening, and I was very exhausted.  I just wanted to sit down and relax for a bit – even take a nap.  As I drove down the street in our subdivision, once again, a truck was parked on one side of the street while a Jeep parked on the other side of the street.  Remember, I’m tired.  I just want to go rest a bit.  Well, due to all the snow piles on the side of the street, I had to very carefully pass between those two vehicles.  I had less than 4 inches to spare on both sides before my mirrors would hit theirs.  Frustrated, I said, “I should honk the horn so they can get out here and deal with this.  This is ridiculous that they could park anywhere, but they choose where a vehicle can hardly pass by.”  Someone from my family encouraged me to honk the horn, so I did…for 1.5 seconds.  That’s when it happened, HONK --- Nothing!  I was tired, frustrated, and ready to be home, but I let my frustration get the better of me.  The horn on my truck doesn’t work any longer.  That is amazing, since I never use it.  Nonetheless, it is broken and needs to be fixed!

I went home, parked my truck, and thought about the broken horn.  The horn needs fixing, but so do I.  I let frustration gain control over me.  I let anger dictate my decision.  I thought of myself before my neighbor.  Basically, I messed up!  Off to the dealer soon to get it fixed.

I am in need of fixing too.  And like my horn, I can’t do the fixing.  Someone else has to do that.  It is Jesus who fixes all my imperfections and struggles.  He does this through forgiveness.  The prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus long ago:  “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1b

We can’t fix our own sinfulness, but Jesus can!  I may not have a working horn right now, but thankfully, I have a fully functioning Savior who takes away my sin!

Family Discussion Points!

Do you have any “broken” parts on your vehicle?  In your house?

Do you have any brokenness (sin) in you?  As a family, admit to being broken and needing Jesus.  This is true of everyone, but it is good to affirm each other in this.

Who in the family is best at fixing things?  Worse?