When a child is born, we typically think of him or her as sweet and innocent—blameless, sinless, not yet stained by the evils of this world. And while babies are certainly sweet, the Bible makes it clear that they are not so innocent. According to Proverbs 22:15, the love of mischief and the tendency toward rebelliousness and disobedience are already present in the heart of a child at birth. We are all born into this world with a sinful nature and in need of redemption.

As parents, we want our children to be obedient, to do the right things, and to make the right choices. We endeavor to teach them all the right values and to build character in their lives. And while no one wants their child to make choices that contradict the values they’ve been taught, inevitably they will, because their hearts are filled with foolishness.

Knowing this, as parents we have to anticipate foolishness from our children. They will do things from time to time that will hurt and disappoint us. Just like we, as God’s children, sometimes disappoint Him. We have to allow our children to make mistakes, just as we make mistakes. And when they do, we can imitate our Heavenly Father and respond with unconditional love, forgiveness, and correction—continually pointing them to Christ, the one who can redeem them and use their mistakes to grow and refine them into all He created them to be.