Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:13 NLT)
I’ve read this Scripture verse many times and always thought about how angry God must have been at Adam and Eve. As a parent, I know I would have been angry. I mean, really, the one tree they were told not to eat from is the one they couldn’t resist.
But not long ago I was reading this section of Genesis, and I heard something different in God’s words.
“What have you done?”
I heard sadness and disappointment.
God created Adam and Eve desiring the personal relationship He had with them. He told Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil knowing what the outcome would be, and He wanted to protect them from what would happen.
“What have you done?”
Sin entered the world, and Adam and Eve now had to experience the harsh realities of life as they had never known. God was angry at their disobedience, and I have to think He was also sad and disappointed. The consequences that Adam and Eve had to face also affected God and His relationship with them.
As parents, isn’t that how we sometimes feel with our children? Their actions don’t only affect themselves, but also those who love them.
We want to protect our children, so we try to steer them away from making bad decisions. However, like Adam and Eve, poor choices are often made and life’s lessons are learned the hard way.
Watching our children go through pain and suffering caused by their own choices hurts. We feel sad, disappointed, and yes, angry. But because God first loved us, we are able to still love our children—even when they mess up.
Adam and Eve had just done the one thing God told them not to do, and yet God still loved them. He was concerned for them and cared for their physical needs.
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21 NIV)
And God continues to love and care for us. So much, in fact, that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to restore our relationship with Him.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17 NLT)
No matter how many times or how badly we mess up, God loves us. And nothing can separate us from His love!
Do we remember this from day to day? Do we tell our children how much we love them, and that God loves them even more, no matter what?
Such a great question to ask….do we tell our children how much we love them? My husband and I just watched the movie Courageous last night and cried our eyes out. It was eye opening to me just how often I choose not to dance in the moment with my children. Yes, we love because He first loved us. It’s all about glorifying Him and when we show that love of Christ to our family – to our children – we are indeed glorifying God.
Sometimes we have to let everything else wait and choose to be in the moment with our children and loved ones. I’m trying to be more conscious of this. What difference does it make if chores wait while I snuggle and watch a movie with my daughter?
Rosann, thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!
In Christ,
Laura
God loves us indeed, no matter how many times we messed up, no matter how many times we failed. And yes, there is no time that I miss to let my daughter know how much I love her and that God loves here more!
Thanks Charina for visiting and commenting!
In Christ,
Laura
Thank goodness for God’s unconditional love for us!
Thank you for commenting on my blog today.
Smiles,
Carp;
Its difficult sometimes to discipline our children but it’s important we think about what’s important. Obedience brings blessing, and if we are not able to instill that in our children, then we’re not doing our job! Love means we do the best for them, even if it’s hard!
It is such a comfort to know that our God’s love will never leave. No matter what we do or where we go, He will always love us and welcome us home with loving arms.
Watching our children learn the hard way is one of the hardest things for me to do as a parent. I know it’s beneficial for their growth as a person, but still, tough to watch them in pain. I try to tell mine that only Jesus is perfect and we can try and do our best each day but we are still going to mess up sometimes. I’m so thankful for God’s mercies and unconditional love for me, especially when I mess up.
Thanks for sharing!
I think you make an excellent point. I believe God’s response was surely filled with sadness, knowing even better than Adam and Eve what they truly just gave up.
Insightful post.