One Victory

[2 new posts!]

My biggest challenge in life currently seems to be being a patient and kind mother who always teaches her children how to be Christ like by example. The hyper-activity, high noise levels, fighting, crying, disobedience, etc. really stress me out. Don't get me wrong, I have really good kids who are often very cute, fun, smart, sensitive and enjoyable--but if I expect them to learn to control their emotions better and obey mommy even when they don't feel like it, and stop teasing or wrestling, even when they don't feel like it, well, mommy's heart needs to be a more consistently broken and contrite.

My victory today was consistency. This morning Jayden (10) had a blow out on Austin (2) for climbing across him on the couch and stepping on a part of his leg that was sensitive from surgery. I realized from this that the reason Jayden over reacted so terribly is because he is fed up with his little brothers always climbing on him, jumping on him, and wrestling with him when he doesn't want them to. It dawned on me that they ALL need to learn more respect for each other so that when someone says they don't want to do something anymore, their wishes are honored.

Jayden (10) is part-time at our house and part-time at his mothers and was not here today after he left to the bus stop--but through out the day I consistently worked with my 4 and 2 year olds. We talked about respecting others and obeying mommy first and then voicing their needs after. I caught every little problem early, before it escalated at all and I spoke to them quietly, firmly and eye to eye.

Half way through the day my 4 year old had already caught on and was saying, "Ok mom," an abnormal amount and smiling proudly to himself. It was especially nice when I was putting the baby to sleep and I asked the boys to stay outside of his room while I put him in bed. Normally they would both follow me in anyway and I'd have to give a warning, and probably start counting and then possibly one of them could end up on the floor crying stubbornly because they don't want to go out. Tonight, Joshua (4) said, "Ok mom!" and sat down at the top of the stairs patiently while his 2 year old brother followed his example and stood right outside the door. AMAZING!

Let me tell you, it took some major mental effort today, and was kind of exhausting, but if this much effort yields these kinds of results so quickly--I may be able to pull it out again tomorrow! I admittedly will have my challenge increased when my stepson comes back but every victory counts even if I'm not perfect tomorrow. It will come. I read a blog today that reminded me that as I put forth the effort to overcome my weaknesses, as I surrender my pride, my anger, my frustration, the Lord will take away a little more of my weakness. Every effort that I put forth is matched or even doubled by the Lord, and with Him I can overcome this.