Read: John 13:36–38; 21:1–19
Parenting is full of beautiful moments—but let’s be honest, it’s also full of mistakes, frustrations, and messy apologies (both from us and our kids). If you’ve ever said something in anger, lost your temper, or just responded in a way you regret, you’re not alone. Parenting stretches us—and sometimes, it breaks us. But grace meets us in those moments.
Peter knew what it felt like to fail big. He told Jesus, “I’ll lay down my life for you,” but within hours, he denied even knowing Him...three times. Imagine the shame. The silence. The distance Peter must have felt.
But Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter. In John 21, the resurrected Jesus meets Peter on the shore and lovingly restores him not with punishment, but with grace. Jesus gives Peter a new chance to love and lead.
As parents, we get to reflect that same kind of grace. When your child messes up—again—or when you find yourself needing to say “I’m sorry,” forgiveness can be the turning point. It can restore connection. It can soften hearts. It can change the atmosphere in your home.
Forgiveness isn’t about pretending something didn’t happen. It’s about choosing not to hold it over someone’s head. It’s about choosing grace over grudges. And as Colossians reminds us, we forgive because we’ve been forgiven—over and over.
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
— Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
