I Hate You

*SLAM* The bedroom door crashes closed, shaking the wall with its force.

A small voice from behind the door yells out "I HATE YOU!!! You are SOOOOO unfair!"

Mom stood in the hallway, head hung at the painful words that her own child had just screamed at her. She sniffled as a singe tear drop ran down her cheek and off her chin. She closed her eyes and put her hands to her mouth, replaying the scene in her head that had just unfolded....

A 14 year old Jenny comes into the kitchen, dressed in her shortest of mini skirts, ready to head out for the evening. "Mom" she yells before she realizes that her mother is sitting at the kitchen table working on her laptop.

"yes, darling" mom replied as she slowly raised her head to look at her daughter... "what in God's name do you think you are wearing? Do you really think you are going ANYWHERE looking like that?"

"What?" the teenager retorts defensively, "this is what ALL the girls are wearing! I think it is just fine!"

"The only thing that is fine, is if you march back upstairs and put on something else! Your grandfather would roll over in his grave if he saw you looking like that!"

"But! Mom! THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO WEAR!!!!"

"Too bad!" Mom states firmly, while making a turn around motion with her hand through the air.

Jenny sighs loudly and then stops up the stairs making sure each step could be heard loud and clear from all over the house. Her mother followed her up the stairs and down the hall.

*SLAM* "I HATE YOU!"

Opening her eyes, she began to think about those three little words again, and again. While she knew that those words were not really what was in her young daughter's heart, it still hurt. How could she be so insensitive to say such horrible words to the one who gave her everything, who picks her up when she falls, who teaches her and guides her, and who loves her with the most precious and unconditional love that only a parent can give.

The more she thought she realized that this must be how God feels when we turn away from Him.... when we hurt Him. He gave us everything. He picks us up when we fall. He teaches us and guides us... and He loves us with the most PERFECT and unconditional love that only our Heavenly Father can give.