Maybe Jesus shared so many stories in the Bible because he knew they would resonate with us – that they would have the power to move our hearts.
When we left the pool, my daughter actually said, “Mommy you were so right. I’m so glad we worked it out.” It was funny she said I was “so right” because I never told her what to do. I simply shared a story, and she figured out what to do from my mistake.
It’s easy for me to think I need to put on a façade for my children that I have it all together by only sharing my successes. But Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff, authors and counselors, helped me see more clearly from their book, Raising Girls:
“How do you help your child live through her failures? Talk about your own. Live in a household that models forgiveness for mistakes. And finally, don’t treat failure as a taboo subject. Don’t ignore the missed basket in basketball. Talk about it. And then move on. Take her to get ice cream after her failures and successes. Help her lighten up and see that there’s much about her that is good and enjoyable even when she makes mistakes.”
That day, my daughter was able to forgive and be forgiven after hearing one of my own stories of failure. That story taught her more about forgiveness than a lecture ever could have. Sharing stories of my own imperfections has also helped her accept parts of herself and others that are imperfect and in need of grace.
Now when I dive into a lecture, I try to stop myself and share a story instead, because parenting with stories is powerful.
