Homework. For years, Ive had nightmares where I am back in college desperately searching for a missing project that I somehow overlooked. Ive even dreamed that I missed entire classes that were needed to graduate, classes I should have had in high school! Im telling you, those dreams freak me out! What a relief it always is to wake up and realize school is over! Or is it? As a mom of three kids, Im here to tell you school isnt over. Especially with two 7th graders who have some learning challenges and dont absolutely love school work. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE teaching, and I LOVE helping my kids understand what they are studying. But, I dont love the constant nagging that flows from my mouth, the begging of them to pay attention, the frantic searching for missing homework or trying to figure out what in the world they are even supposed to be doing for homework, and the attitude I often receive from the ones Im trying to help. It can make me feel like I am losing my mind, not to mention my Christian testimony! Last night as we studied for an upcoming Bible test, I found a perfect teaching moment to talk about attitudes and honoring ones parents. How convenient that the lesson was on the qualities of the wise and foolish child. Man, I was into it! With targeting eyes and a lifted voice, I taught about the actions of a foolish child. Highlighting, of course, disobedience, talking back, procrastination, poor friend choices, laziness, among other things. I taught about the rewards of obedience pointing out the promise of a long life where things will go well for them. Then, I taught, according to Proverbs, the effects disobedient actions have on parents. Things like shame, broken hearts, frustration, death, and grief. I reminded them, as the lesson taught, that parents are human and make mistakes and need to be given grace. I really thought it was a great lesson until I woke up this morning and got a little spankin from God. As I lay in bed, He showed me how I took HIs precious Word and pridefully used it like a sword to tear my children apart, to judge them, and hurl insults and condemnation towards them. It was a disgusting and shameful sight. Then, He gave me a snapshot of myself praying out loud for the Lord to help my children be obedient, to love one another, and become the men and women of God they are destined to become. UGH!! That was an ugly picture, too! Whats a Christian girl to do but repent? I asked the Lord to forgive me and then asked for forgiveness from one of my children (I will talk to the other child tonight). Without a doubt, God showed me that my preaching at home is an area where I really need to work, as are my correction techniques. To quote one of the verses from last nights lesson that I really should have been focused on: Fathers (and I assume mothers) do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (Eh 6:4) Are my children right in the way they act at times? No. But neither am I. One thing is for sure, my discipline and correction isnt always from the Lord. Not even close. Usually it is out of frustration and rage. Oh, I start out good, but with every roll of the eye, slam of the door, and disrespectful word, my inners begin to boil and then I explode. To say it as a true southerner: It aint no explosion of I Corinthians 13 love! Love that is patient, kind, and gentle. Love that is never proud or rude, never irritable, and never keeps a record of wrong. Parenting the right way is the hardest thing in the world. Becoming a world champion water skier was way easier than the daily rearing of three kids. But with a humble heart and the Lords help, it can be done, and it can be done right. As parents, lets determine not to discipline out of anger, but out of the instruction that comes from the Lord and flows from the spirit of God within us. Lets not cause our kiddos to feel condemned or less than. Rather, lets build them up. If we are not careful, our well meaning intentions can take the powerful, treasured Word of God that is meant to bring life, encouragement, and freedom and turn it into something to be hated, rejected, and detested.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:11:19 +0000
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