The green tooth brush is left out again. It sits on the
kitchen window sill again. After so many requests for the tooth brush to be kept tucked
away properly in the bathroom, here it rests out in the open… again.
Why does this 8 inch piece of
plastic with bristles on the end grind at me, stirring up so much irritation? Yes,
I can justify my habitual nagging by saying she is being disrespectful. She has
been told countless times not to leave it out and refuses to listen. I judge
her motives by her actions and slap a label to it. She is wrong again and again
and I demand that this must change.
----------------------------------------------------
While driving in the car yesterday,
the preacher on the radio discussed negativity. Immediately the hairs on my
arms stood up and I wanted to hide. I was convicted. I was embarrassed by my
behavior. Why is it so much easier for me to point out the negative things my
children do and not the good? I am quick to point it all out: the complaining,
the shortage of gratitude, the fighting and the insufficiency of respect. Why
don’t they listen? Get along? Get it right? Put that tooth brush away?!
My face reddened and my heart was
pierced.
I do not want to be the negative
mom. I want to be the mom that tells them I love them, first. I want to be the
mom that cheers them on and sees the best in them. I want to be the mom that
offers grace and patience. I do want to be a mom that keeps her children accountable
but I want to be the mom that puts the value of the relationship with my child
far above perfect behavior or a clean house.
----------------------------------------------------
I sit each one of them down
today, separately. I look them in the eye and see a reflection of God’s
beautiful creation glaring back at me. I confess my negativity and ask for
forgiveness. I declare my love for them and how proud I am of them. One by one,
they each extend the grace to clear the slate.
The toothbrush remains on
the window sill again, and I know it’s going to be OK.
“Be completely humble
and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2
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