I was once told that since God hates pride that it was wrong to be proud of your children. Is that true? It is true that God hates pride; such is plainly recorded multiple times in the book of Proverbs, especially 6:16-19. But, this is talking about an arrogant, haughty, insolent, conceited spirit. If one displays this kind of attitude in any part of his life, such is unacceptable to God.
But, Webster provides another definition for “pride”—“delight or satisfaction in one’s own or another’s achievements.” Is it wrong to have delight or satisfaction in our children’s achievements? Consider the words of John—“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Did he find delight or satisfaction in them? Was he “proud of them”?
What about God? Does He find satisfaction or “pride” in us? “…The blameless in their ways are His delight…those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Prov. 11:20; 12:22). I truly hope God is proud of (delights in) me, as His child. Such is my aim. Yes, I am proud of my children!