this is a big step for me - being transparent but i think it's important and will help hold me accountable for the things i'm about to type. plus, maybe some of you other moms have moments like these.
here's the situation. sophie just fell asleep. i asked molly to stay in the living room while i went to lay her down. this all stems from yesterday when she came bolting into sophie's room talking and getting toys off the shelf to play with while i laid her down. yesterday, sophie woke up and was grumpy. i did not want a repeat. so, what did molly do? yep, you guessed it - she followed me in talking and trying to take a toy out. fortunately, sophie did not wake up. molly, however, was on my last nerve because she didn't obey. i didn't react the way i should have. shoot, i probably could have woken sophie up too! anyway, molly laid down to take her nap and i came out to check my email.
i opened up a devotional from proverbs31ministry.org and it was all about being a mean mom or a kind mom. let's just say it was very convicting. God has a funny way of giving us what we need when we need it! the author of the devotional talked about how as moms it's easy to lash out when they're not being obedient. it gives us a bit of momentary satisfaction but it's not how Christ would have us respond. Christ gives us three rules - i won't say simple because they're not. however, they are necessary!
Matthew 16:24 says, "then Jesus said to His disciples, 'if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
1. deny myself - "i have to look past the emotions begging to erupt and use self-control. i have to deny myself the momentary satisfaction of the quick comeback, the rude response, and full out yelling."
2. take up my cross - "stop blaming and pointing the finger wishing everyone else would change...see my sinful reaction as a negative contribution to the problem at hand. i must see my sin for what it is - sin. and truly want to do something about it."
3. follow Him - "follow who He is, and how He is. close my mouth, pause long enough to let Him interrupt my eruption and let His Spirit redirect. yes, my children need to be corrected but i can let the consequences scream so i don't have to!"
credit: lysa terkeurst proverbs31ministry.org 2010
good stuff, huh? it sure it home for me today. i must remember that no matter how frustrated i am or how tired i am, i must do these three things. only doing so will make me one step closer to becoming the woman described in proverbs 31.
Love this! I totally know what you mean. I think we all as parents are not always as kind and patient as we could and want to be. (At least I know I'm not!)
ReplyDeleteI love this scripture:
"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
I truly believe one of the beautiful lessons we can learn as parents is to deny the "natural man" and become more Christlike in our treatment of all those around us, including our family members who may frustrate us at times.
You are such a good mom, wife, and person!
Thanks Amber for "being transparent". All Moms struggle with what you are dealing with, unfortunately, not all Moms are seeking answers and solutions the way you are; from God's word. I will pray for His Word to continue to direct you as you seek to live a life that glorifies God and brings peace, joy and happiness to your family. Thanks for the encouraging words!!
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