Matthew 26:69-70 “69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, ‘You too were with Jesus the Galilean.’ 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’”

Parents, if you haven’t faced that moment in your child’s life when they try to avoid being seen with you because it is just not cool, then just wait. It is coming.

Several years ago our family went on a 3 day cruise. It was our first and last. Lol. It’s just not my wife’s thing. Plus my son got sick and well…it just didn’t turn out great. However…..

They did have karaoke at night. Can you see where I am going with this? We went down to watch, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to get up and sing. I decided to sing…are you ready…”Joy To the World” by 3 Dog Night. Yep, I did. My kids were teenagers, so you can imagine what they were doing. They were trying to get UNDER the table. “That’s not my dad! I have never seen that man before. I was kidnapped by that strange man!”

Peter knew the Lord intimately. He had spent 3 years with Him day and night. And now when He is being tried and convicted, Peter denies ever knowing Him. But Jesus understood, just like I understood my kids. Their denial of me didn’t change my love for them. Peter’s denial of Jesus didn’t change His love for Peter.

May I encourage you when your children start to “put some distance” between you and them? Let them do that safely. Give them some space. But constantly reassure them they are loved, and nothing they can do will ever change that.