I decided to try something new today. Our family was having one of those days...it all began when the printer decided not to work properly...well wait...possibly it began when I allowed myself to sleep in until 8:00 a.m. I am usually up by 6 so that I can begin my day in tranquility and tea.
I knew the day was going to be off to a "different" start so mentally I tried to prepare my mind. I didn't start my day with my tranquil tea...but with oatmeal...you know...good for my heart food.
Later in the morning, our printer decided to die...just as my husband was in need of its work. Attitudes weren't the best. Our oldest son got up...late...as usual for a Saturday. Our youngest, special needs son, just observed us all...grin on his face.
Well, 'tudes mounted...and hub had to leave. My oldest and I had a discussion about "our day". I asked, "Do you have The Message version of the bible?" He didn't. I was kind of hoping for some regular day language. I said, "I want you to look up anything in the bible you can find on the attitude...just one place." He quickly pulled out one of his favorite Proverbs. I had him explain it and how it pertained to us....
Then I said, "okay, I want you to pray for me and Dad. I want you to pray for our tones and attitudes." He was willing...until I said, "right now." Oh, that was something he preferred to pray for on his own...alone with God. I agreed that that was fine...then said, "okay, then I will pray for all of us."...
I proceeded to pray for each person and their tone, attitude and over-all actions. As we were ending our conversation I told my son that from now on when we had an issue in our home...we were going to go to scripture...then discuss it and pray.
I believe I thought of this a little too late in raising him...but at least I thought of it...FINALLY...it took seventeen years to realize that is how I should be handling situations...I used to give him bible assignments but now I need to simply take care of it then and there...in discussion and prayer.
"Lord, thank you for allowing me to see that this is the way I need to handle family (and probably other) situations. Thank you that it hopefully isn't too late to make a difference in our family. In Jesus' name, Amen."
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2 comments:
Thanks for sharing this Lariann! I have been having the same feelings about my kiddos, that maybe, no that I have, neglected some of their training. I'm so happy that God allows us to pick up where we are and kind of start over. Our God is so big that our failures don't get in the way of His plans!
Thank you Lariann. Great words of wisdom and I appreciate all that Christine wrote in response. Isn't it indeed wonderful that our failures don't get in the way of His plans! He knows every hair on our head...He knew what "failure" we were going to make and is even using THOSE to bring us closer to Him. We don't have to loose hope that we cannot become what He wants us to be....from career....schooling...to attitude or a soft answer....even to the ever-present responsibility of being a REAL example to our children ...all their lives...because what we leave them...like Lariann gave to her son; an example of looking for direction...will last long after WE are gone.
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