“Why” matters

Some things make no sense to me. Like when my daughters, who both have beautiful, curly, thick hair spend hours straightening it. I would have done things I am ashamed to admit to have had their curls in high school! But straight is the thing these days, so … gotta fit in.

Or do they? Honestly, I think mostly my girls just want something different some days, and that’s fine. But as we think about our kids (and ourselves) “walking in the light” I’ve been thinking about self- examination. And you know, I think it’s more than just looking back over our days to reflect on what we have done or left undone as we confess our sins. There has to be another question we have to ask ourselves, which is- “why?”

Are we walking in obedience, or are we walking in conformity?

It matters. “Walking in the light” is walking with God, who is light- which means that if we are looking for the approval of friends or just trying to fit in we are deceiving ourselves. Straightening our hair is fine if we just want to change up the look. Watching what we eat is good if we want to be healthy. Speaking kind words is godly if we are being authentic. But when we do those things to manipulate our image, or exert control, or prop up our popularity? Then we’re not walking in the light.

I had a moment of conviction, as I realized I need to talk with my kids more about this. A lot of days our prayers are the only thing we can do in response to scripture on behalf of our children. Today, let’s shift our conversations a little. Let’s talk about the motivation behind our actions, letting our kids in on our own struggles. Let’s encourage them to consider why they do what they do, reminding them as we remind ourselves that our acceptance is assured by Christ’s love and sacrifice. And not ours only, but that of everyone we encounter.

So we can be honest. We can admit when we got it wrong, whether in action, inaction, or motivation. Because “if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)