epic #momfail
because over family has never, ever, never looked like this…
Dear God,
Today I am failing as a parent. You have opened my eyes to see that I have let our children take control of our house and family. That is not your way. You want us to train them up in the way they should go. To be respectful, and most of all to love.
HELP!
At 11:30 last night, Jaima woke me up to tell me that the boys were in the bathroom, in the shower. Spraying water all over the place. In the cabinets. On the floor. Major flood warning. What would possess (I use that term literally and Biblically because it was certainly the devil who made them do it) two of God's little creatures to even think of doing such a thing?!?!?!
We (she) cleaned up. Somehow they got to bed. I fell back asleep. I came out to the kitchen this morning to get my coffee. My purse was opened and contents spilled out all over the floor.
That's when it hit me. I was failing. You see, when I was growing up, we were taught that a man or child never touches a woman's purse. Basic respect. Rules laid out.
How did these things become ingrained in me and why hasn't it happened with our kids?
The answer? Demonstration and communication.
The first time they got in my purse I should have gotten down on their level and said, "This is mommy's. Purses are not to be gotten into." Repeated as necessary until it was part of their thinking and belief system. Training them up in the way they should go.
Nope. I yelled. "Leave MY stuff alone! Don't you ever touch that again! Why don't you ever listen?"
That is failing. No one wins when yelling begins.
She yells prettier than I do.
And that, my friend, is why I found my purse emptied out on the floor this morning at 6 am.
So, what's a Mom to do?
First of all: Be strong and courageous! - Deuteronomy 31:6
Then acknowledge that you need patient endurance:
I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
- Psalm 130:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
Wait for the dawn.
The sun is rising now, here on Thee Farm. Soon, they will awaken and we will begin a new day. Yesterday was an epic fail. Today? Full of hope as I run this race set before me. We are raising Kingdom Kids. We shall not fail. And you won't either. Put your trust in Him. Listen to His Word. And take the time to teach them.
AMEN.
