Like mother, like child...

Genesis 3:16 To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
    in pain you shall bring forth children.
Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,
    but he shall rule over you.”

4:6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

The struggle with sin and rebellion.  Our kids come by it honestly.  Eve helped set the pattern (no pass for Adam here, but it's not Father's Day coming up this week.)  There is a battle that goes one within.  Will wives trust their husbands? Will children trust thier parents? Will we trust God to give us what what need, to lead us in the right direction, to give us the life that is really the best possible?  Why do our kids struggle so to obey? We have no further to look than within.  But we do not give up on them, on ourselves, on life.  Life is a battle and a blessing. So are children.  The key word in both verses is "contrary". We do things contrary to the right thing. But by the grace of God we can win.   There is joy in the journey and hope for the future not because we are perfect parents with perfect children, but because the One who made the whole thing has the plan is perfect and will provide what we need.