Even When You're Naughty

My mom used to tell me, and I find myself telling my son, that I love him even when he is naughty. I especially make sure to tell him this during and after discipline, and his eyes always get a bit bigger, like he is trying to figure this out. To him, love still means something that he likes (he's only 4.) So I follow up that statement with an explanation that loving him is not the same as liking what he did...

Well, just the other day I was being particularly naughty with my food tracker. I wasn't feeling very good, I was having a pity-party, and was being particularly self-indulgent and reckless. It struck me that the message I was giving my son all along was true for me, too. That God loves me even when I'm naughty. That is such a hard thing to swallow. All my life I've thought of God as being this divine policeman, ready to pounce at any rule-breaker. So to picture God loving me even when I'm naughty, well, that puts a whole different spin on our relationship.

He definitely doesn't enjoy these times. I'm sure they sadden him and frustrate him like I get when my son disobeys. But for me, the rebellion of disobedience changes. It looses its glamor when I'm breaking God's heart rather than "sticking it to" the authorities. I think that's true in parenting, too. When we really show our kids our broken hearts they are much more likely to sway over to our side than if we act the part of strict disciplinarian.

So, even when you are at your most unloveable, you are still loved by the One who made you. Even when you're naughty. Chew on that.