Struggling…
Being a mom is difficult, isn’t it? This was another tough morning and I’m not sure I handled it very well. Lyndsay woke up on the wrong side of the bed, as they say. Sometimes I wonder if her bed HAS a right side! =)
Anyways, it was a struggle to get her ready for school – first off she didn’t “like” anything we had to eat (it’s ok other days, but not today), then she didn’t have the “right” shirt for school but didn’t want to pick one out herself, then Daddy left and she hadn’t said the words “goodbye” to him (she HAD talked to him before he left). All this – an hour and 20 minutes – through whining, arguing, and at times crying (her, not me!)
My patience and gentleness lasted through the first 5 minutes or so. Then I reacted more strongly (I find my self-talk telling me that she’s acting ridiculous and she needs some discipline – time outs / threatened loss of priveleges). So that’s how I acted. I wonder if the misbehavior on her part would have stopped sooner if I’d stayed patient longer. Who knows?
Anyone else out there struggle with impatience, lack of gentleness, second-guessing yourself? Do you just keep on, like myself, praying that you’ll do better next time? Do you have any other techniques you use to help stretch your patience and gentleness even when you don’t feel like it?
A verse I cling to…
Ephesians 4:1-2 “…live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
I have been praying this verse for myself lately in regard to my mothering. God gave me the awesome privelege and responsibility of being a mom. I struggle sometimes with being gentle and patient with my children (you too??). They can certainly test me and push my buttons. (Like when my four year old tells me he wants a poptart for breakfast and then when I give it to him, he says he told me he wanted a cereal bar. )
But I know that God is using my kids to teach me, train me, and make me more like Jesus. If I rely on Him!!
Are there any verses that you cling to in regard to your parenting? I’d love to hear about them!
What’re you thinking about?
This morning during my devotions I came across Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” It occurred to me for the first time that this should apply to my thoughts regarding my kids. As moms we try to influence their behavior toward the positive (a.k.a – don’t be so mean to your brother – be nice!) But then often I get stuck there. And instead of noticing and paying attention to the good stuff, I find myself only noticing and pointing out the negative.
How would my attitude change if I took Paul’s advice regarding what I see in my kids? How would their attitudes and behavior change? Anyone have any thoughts on this?
