How do you see others/your kids?

Mark Lauterbach with a great confession and admonition for parents:

My children tell me I am very hard to please. I do not think I am -- I think I have very good standards and they need to measure up. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see is what has not been done. I see faults all over. I am God's agent to make them excellent.

A few years ago a friend saw my sin and encouraged me to spend a whole summer doing nothing but encouraging my children. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Every day I would look for grace in them but find faults. I had to bite my tongue all the time. But the fruit on their lives and our relationship was amazing.

So -- as I lead my family, do they hear my criticism more than my commendation? Do I see myself as the great and indispensable fault-finder? As I relate to fellow-Christians, am I more aware of their sin or of their growth in sanctification?

I am learning this most crucial element of fellowship -- and seeing it as the first step. Until I see grace in others I am in no position to help them grow by pointing out their sin.

Read the whole piece. It's great.