Teachable Moments

I am having one of those days/moments where it feels like nothing I do is right.

It doesn't help that we have been at home a lot in the past few days and a little cabin fever is kicking in, I'm sure. 

Let me share a specific example. Tonight I was very disappointed in the way one of my boys was speaking to another. I pulled him aside and talked to him sternly. I mentioned that he didn't have to always have the last word. He didn't have to say something if it wasn't nice or constructive. His retort was "he can't control it or stop himsefl". 

I sat there for a second and then said, "you are right. You can't stop yourself. In your human, sin nature you are going to struggle with being kind, not making fun of others and considering other people's feelings over your own. If left to your own devices, you may never overcome this."

He looked at me with big eyes. 

I went on to say,"it is only the grace we have in Christ that enables us to overcome temptation."

I shared with him an example of how I struggled and a few verses of scripture I committed to memory. Every time I struggled, I would recite them to myself. It really did help me. 

I shared a couple of verses with him - "Do not let anything unwholesome come out of my mouth"- Ephesians 4:29 --being one of them. 

I told him every time he catches himself getting ready to deliver a real zinger, he should say to himself that verse(s). 

I went one step further and wrote them down and posted in both bathrooms he uses on the mirror. 

I am going to pray that verse over him constantly in the coming days. 

Am I the only one who feels extremely overwhelmed by the enormous burden of parenting?  It feels like every moment, every activity is a "teachable moment" and as I realize my oldest is going to be gone in eight short years, my time is precious!!!!  I am so burdened right now for my children to walk in HIS truth and to know Jesus. I want them to be kind, patient, gentle, joyful, grateful and compassionate. I want them to make the right choices-- every single time. 

It is so hard when they don't 

So instead of judging when a friend has a child struggling with misbehavior, lets commit to pray for that child (and parent) as they tackle this hurdle. 

Lets remember we are all in this same game and cheer one another on rather than cheering at others' mistakes. Find ways to encourage one another. It really makes a difference!