(originally, Bill Cosby):

Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even
God’s omnipotence did not extend to his kids.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing God said to them was:

"Don’t."

"Don’t what?" Adam asked.

"Don’t eat the forbidden fruit, said God."

"Forbidden fruit? Really? Where is it?"

Adam and Eve asked, jumping up and down excitedly.

"It’s over there," said God, wondering why he hadn’t stopped after making the
elephants.

A few minutes later God saw the kids having an apple break and he was very angry.

"Didn’t I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent asked.

"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why DID you do it? " God asked exasperatedly.

"I dunno," Adam answered.

God’s punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

But there is a reassurance in this story.

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give your children wisdom and they
haven’t taken it, don’t be so hard on yourself.

If God had trouble handling his children, what makes you think it should be a piece of
cake for you?