“Mom, isn’t a parent’s main responsibility to make sure their kids are always happy?”
This was the question my little girl asked me as she was getting ready for bed.
I told her that parents love to see their kids happy, but that wasn’t their main responsibility.
I told her that my main responsibility as her mom was to raise her to love Jesus, and to rely on Him.
I told her that I wouldn’t always be able to make her happy.
I told her that while I hope to always be with her, none of us are promised tomorrow; that we can’t just be happy because of other people.
I told her that if she has to rely on her parents or other people for happiness, at some point, she will be let down.
I told her my job is to teach her about Jesus, who will never let her down.
That she can pray to Him.
That she can rely on Him.
That when hard things come, she won’t always be happy, but He can give her joy in spite of whatever hard thing is going on.
That He loves her even more than I do.
I believe she was on the right track though.
If she would’ve replaced “happy” with “filled with joy”, I would’ve agreed with her.
I think a parent’s main responsibility should be to make sure their kids are filled with joy.
We can accomplish this by teaching them about the love of Jesus and the joy to be found in a relationship with Him.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
