Failing as a Parent

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, our 14-year-old, 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 in to." 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. 

And that is why I found my purse emptied out on the floor this morning at 6am.

So, what's a Mom to do?

First of all: Be strong and courageous! Deuteronomy 31:6

Then acknowledge that you need patient endurance:

Psalm 130:5-6New Living Translation (NLT)

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. 

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.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This came exactly in time, today.
My 4 yrs old wasn't quite the princess she wants to be (and she usually really ís) - right this day when my best friend from Waverly came by to say hello:) ....
So, thank you! You saved my night, because now I can go to bed, thank God for moments like these and start tomorrow like it will be: a brand new day:)

Ciao!
L. from the Netherlands
(excuse my english by the way;)
Carolyn White said…
I'm so happy you found encouragement! None of us are perfect and sometimes we just need to know that other moms have the same struggles. P.S. I love your best friend from Waverly and your English is just fine.

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