Here on earth there’s a positional difference between ourselves and our children. We have been put in the position of instructor in their lives; but this given authority is not meant for a demeaning tone, vindictive anger, or selfish control.

It’s meant for careful leading, clear and firm boundaries, sacrificial love, a bearing of their burdens, and a willingness to see life from their perspective.

Even though there’s an age difference to our bodies here on earth, perhaps we will be kindred souls in heaven. And if our eyes are opened now to see the soul within, perhaps we will be more humble in our treatment.

May we one day be able to look back on this time spent in the position of God-given authority not with shame of undue harshness or sinful neglect of their proper shepherding, but may we be able to say (by the grace of God) that we shepherded this kindred soul with respect and graceful longsuffering.