I recently saw the movie Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro, a little long, but very interesting the perspective that the director used to develop it, I recommend it.

Pinocchio is a wooden puppet that comes to life by the magic hand of a fairy with purpose to make his creator Gepetto happy. There are several versions of the life of both, but all agree on the strange life of Pinocchio. All kinds of problems happen to him, he is kidnapped and even ends up in the mouth of a whale, and everything happens to him because he did not listen, he do not obey orders. Besides, every time he lied his nose grew.

I must say it got me thinking. We all have a part of Pinocchio, we do what we want, when we want, how we want, we lie and we don't obey. But as a parent it got me thinking about Gepetto. Gepetto wanted to change Pinocchio to be the son he wanted; he scolded him, said strong words that hurt Pinocchio's heart, which led him to leave home and get into more trouble.

"And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4.

I must say it touched my heart. I have four children whom I love with all my soul but I accept that, not seeing that they do what I would want them to do, I can come on too strong with my words, hurting their hearts and causing them to be filled with anger.

Being a parent is not easy, but it is more difficult to see the mistake, recognize it and do what is necessary to correct it.

Our pride as parents limits us to see beyond our own criteria and experience; if my child does not act like me, it is because he/she is not like me, they are independent people in development. The parent-child relationship starts from "Give thanks to the Lord for everything" (1 Thess 5:18). When we are thankful for what we have, we treasure, protect and care for it, and we strive to be "good stewards" (1 Peter 4) of all that the Lord has given us. And in each of their mistakes and errors, correct them by applying what Jesus told us to "forgive up to 70 times 7" (Matthew 18:22).

Gepetto failed to ask for forgiveness and correct his behavior towards Pinocchio ON TIME. That is the teaching of the movie, that parents correct and ask for forgiveness, and thus avoid having to run after our children like crazy, desperate because we saw our mistake too late, and end up together in the belly of a whale.

Ask your children for forgiveness, tell them that you love them madly, and no matter what they do or don't do, right or wrong, tell them that you will always be there for them.

God bless you!