Sunday, March 23, 2014

Had myself a good cry yesterday...

Sometimes, you just need a good cry.  It is cleansing, and even refreshing, to somewhat press "reset" on your emotions.  I am not overly emotional by nature--I actually hold it all in for far too long.  But that means when it finally does come out, it bursts forth like Niagara Falls!



Yesterday, as we dealt with a child's behavior, my mind flashed to all the events of the past week.  Of all the things on my list of expectations for myself and my children, all I saw were the failures.  I noticed what I did NOT get done around the house.  I noticed what behaviors had NOT shown evidence of change.  I noticed what schoolwork we had put aside to address other things.  I noticed how "off course" the evidence suggested that we were.


What started out as simply a chat with my husband on one child's behavior and how we would address it going forward, turned into an hour-long cry as I listed out my shortcomings to him.  I shared my struggles regarding behaviors, school work, my concerns over television and computer usage, and my feelings of failure as a mother.


He is my hero, my Mr. Steady-Command, my best friend, and the one who knows how to "talk me down" best.  This time, he listened, he comforted me, he spoke truth into my heart, and he reassured me that even though there WERE failures disappointments, there were also successes.  I was overlooking those!  Without keeping eyes open for the good things, and celebrating them, it is so easy for the bad things to overshadow them!  I know I need to share the little concerns as they come, so that I'm not holding them in, but I also need to give thanks for the good things that happen each day!


"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


When my child learns something new in our school time, I will be thankful for the blessing of being at home to see it myself.  When we manage (somehow) to get through our day and have plenty of leftover time to play more than the day before--we will rejoice as we play!  When I see a behavior change in one of my children, I will surely praise the Lord for helping me to show them His way. 


It is so easy to notice the failures, but there really are victories taking place as well!  Sometimes it takes the perspective and words of another person to help us see them!  I am thankful that he reminded me today of those victories.  And tomorrow, when I'm faced with an area in which I've been struggling, I'll be able to use today's reminder to strengthen me enough to meet it head-on. 


His encouragement reminded me that God is still at work, even in--and maybe especially in--the areas where I am weak.  Where I feel like I'm failing, He is still succeeding at the work He has begun in each of us!


“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made 
perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a


His power is made perfect in my weakness.  Where I struggle to attain a certain result and fail, He brings forth an even greater result by His power! 


"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 
so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9b


When my children are grown, I will not be able to say I was a perfect mother, or that I followed the exact formula for raising perfect children.  As my children grow up and follow Him, I will say that even when I was weak in my parenting, God was POWERFUL in His parenting!  All glory will belong to Him! 

1 comment:

Love hearing from you.