As I was tidying up after Shabbos, I picked up my son’s Hachayol magazine and caught sight of the back page: The Gemara prophesizes, “In the generation before Moshiach, children will totally disregard the authority of their parents”; The Rebbe says that this time has already come, and that this trait can be utilized for Avodas Hashem – children turning the hearts of their parents toward Hashem (asking them to improve in their commitment to Torah and Mitzvos).Upon further reflection, I realized that my children actually turn my heart toward Hashem in another way. When they challenge my authority and I remain centered around my purpose to serve Hashem, I will respond from a place of, "These are Hashem's children. What can I be doing better?" rather than, "Spoiled kids!"
This humbling introspection compels me to reevaluate my parenting skills and ultimately, my relationship with Hashem...
What a realization! I ask myself, “If not for my challenges in parenting, where would I be now, in terms of my relationship with Hashem?”
With this inspiration, my response to the Chutzpa can take on a different character. Firstly, I can rejoice internally at this sign of the imminent Geulah, and secondly, I can respond to my child in a way that shows Hashem how I am coming closer to Him: with gentleness, firmness, and never with anger. I can also be proactive in the rest of my service to Hashem, rather than waiting for the nudges that come through my children’s misbehavior.
On that note, let us be “stubborn children” who turn to our Father in Heaven and boldly insist on the immediate Geulah!
Wishing us all increased joy and success through the parenting process, both with our children and ourselves and may we merit to experience the completion of this prophecy - the coming of Moshiach now!
Click here for Me, Myself and My Yetzer Hara - stopping the Yetzer Hara from influencing our choices.
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