Well I wish I could say that we are incredibly consistent with ALL the things above, but I must confess it is up and down. At least the children are here all the time!! We will have seasons of being in healthy routines, choosing to do the first things first (like purposefully teaching our kids God's Word and really training them in non-confrontational times - not just putting out fires, etc) and then we will have seasons where it seems that not as many issues are presenting themselves, and then we will have seasons where we are just totally off track. Survival only seasons. How do I let things get to that point? Something will happen - maybe a busy season like Christmas, maybe a vacation, maybe stuff like moving and house remodelling, or sometimes I'll just get lazy... None of these are excuses, by the way, just the misguided reasons that I (key word) allow to take precedence over what is most important!
And then things hit the fan - bad attitudes are common, first time obedience is not! And of course these times coincide with times when I am not only being lazy about training my precious children but also when I am not seeking the Lord by spending regular time in the Word and praying like I need. Why such ups and downs? Why is it that I cannot just realize once - "Wow - life is much harder when I am not allowing myself to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day, when I am not being renewed by the truth and power of His Word on a regular basis."? No, I seem to have to relearn this lesson many times over!!! I can do nothing apart from Him!
John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing"
I know this, I believe this - but yet I do not always act on this truth. Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and that Your grace is never failing.
So after being painfully aware of the fact that we needed a fresh start - again - well first I made a plan for myself to spend regular time in the word and began reading back through a Sally Clarkson book, MomWalk. I made a basic daily schedule with chores, pulled back out the training charts that we use from time to time, made a plan to work through an awesome devotion book that has been very valuable for us, Our 24 Family Ways by Clay Clarkson, and made little verse books with construction paper folded and stapled for each child. So now everyone is doing their chores, exciting about getting stars on their charts, knows what to expect each day, and learning scripture that is a far better teacher than I could ever be!
It has been fun too! And so amazing to see an almost overnight change in their behavior. It is like they were just bored and confused over what was expected. I was feeling much the same and everybody was grumping and arguing. This led into more criticism on my part for their behavior which of course did NOT result in a great desire from them to obey me!
Anyways, I am so thankful that God is gracious to me and that He is teaching me that when I fail I don't have to stay there and I don't have to beat myself up. I just have to call out to Him and seek His grace and mercy and power in my life. And I pray that I am more consistent - even (or especially) with the busy, exciting times we have just around the corner - moving AND adopting!
So, just wondering - what works for your family? What things that have helped you stay consistent and do the things you intend to do? I would love any insights you have in this area! Just click on comments below.
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2 comments:
wow steph. you continue to amaze me!! your struggle to stay close to our Lord in daily study and prayer is a struggle i have had all my life as i am sure most of us face. but you remind us all of the wonderful knowledge of knowing God's mercies are new each and every morning! i love the song "great is thy faithfulness"! i find myself singing it quite often when i get down. and you are so correct----life is so much easier and better when we just remember to call out to God and follow his ways. why oh why do i slip back over and over. that is the million dollar question?!
anyways, i so enjoyed your blog. i think it will hit home to many including your mother!!! i too have started a new book "a woman Jesus can teach"! great book for me and others i think.
and last but not least----i think you are a wonderful,caring mother who is doing a fantastic job of raising children who love and follow God. i know its not easy to raise children, remember i had you, my hardheaded child! you are doing such a wonderful job and i am so proud of you and of your children. i love you so and am always here for you. mommie
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has those ups and downs. For me personally it comes down to discipline (or the lack of it) ... and I know I am not very disciplined (for long) about anything ... something about me that drives me crazy and that I struggle with. I do well for a few days or weeks ... rarely months. But, with my oldest starting kindergarten in August, I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf and grow up some myself. I like the idea of charts and have even dreamed of making some and keeping up with them. I plan to do that in August. I just have to figure out what kind of charts will work best for us. I'll have to do some experimenting. Thanks for such a real post. :o)
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