“The LORD says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18-19, NCV).

     Last year, writers from Bored Panda asked parents how often their children would say they committed “monumental mishaps.” A mother named Deva sighed, “In the eyes of my children? Every. Single. Day.” Deva went on to describe one of her worst mistakes. “I cursed in front of my son’s friend the other day. A big, fat %@*! when we were in the car.” When I apologized my son said, “Don’t worry, Mom. Everyone’s immune to you by now.”

     The Swiss Psychiatrist, Carl Jung, once wrote:

                                             If there is anything we wish to change in the
                                             child, we should first examine it and see
                                             whether it is something that could better be
                                             changed in ourselves.

Let’s face it, parents. We all make innocent, hilarious mistakes and blunders despite our best attempts. Too often, we do things we swore we would never do.

     It’s all too easy to beat ourselves up or in extreme cases, simply give up the attempt to live into the best version of ourselves. This is where God’s grace intervenes. The prophet, Isaiah, reminded the Jewish people to “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past.” Or more poignantly, not to dwell on the past.

     Turning from our past failures, though, requires work from both God and us. We begin by identifying our shortcomings and asking God for mercy. God responds by forgiving and transforming us from the inside out.

     Years ago, I started an inventory of personality traits I didn’t want to inflict on my family.
Here are a few of the characteristics I listed:

                                             Critical                   Judgmental
                                             Angry                     Controlling
                                             Perfectionistic        Distracted
                                             Overworking          Self-centered
                                             Superficial             Overly demanding

I prioritized two traits that I wanted God to change then asked God for the grace to replace these negative characteristics in me with virtues that would bless my wife and children. My transformation was not immediate. But over time my family noticed a positive difference in my
temperament.

     This renewal process worked for me. I am confident that it will work for you, as well. However, you need to develop your own inventory of traits you wish for God to change. Start small. Begin with the top two most harmful characteristics. Center your prayers and attention on them every day and be sure to celebrate the changes God makes in you.

     And remember, while you may not be the parent you want to be, you can give thanks to God that you aren’t the parent you used to be. Stay focused at the new thing God is doing, and don’t be surprised if that one day someone stops you on the street and says, “Gosh, there is something amazingly different about you!”