This week my family have been suffering from colds, and each morning I find myself shoving them out to school although I know they are hoping I will say just stay home today. I tussle with myself each time, I know if I worked there would be no question as nothing seems serious enough to keep them off, but I still feel a bit guilty sending them out.

Now I know there are many parenting situations which are much much tougher than this, anything where you have to force your kids to do something they don't want to, is hard.  I think how much harder is it for God who continues to try and guide generation after wayward generation. As a loving, heavenly father he can see what is right and good for us but all the time we fight it. From Abraham through Moses, David, Jesus and right now we, as his children, turn our backs.
As I rebuke my children in the knowledge that I know what is best for them, I am reminded that God knows what is best for me and I really need to start listening.
"Jerusalem,Jerusalem!....How many times have I wnated to put my arms round all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but you will not let me!" Matthew 23 vs 37