Today began as a challenging, difficult day for me as a mother.

I spent more time than I care to admit wishing I could just escape ... somewhere... anywhere... altogether!

The little ones tried every fiber of my being from the time they woke up, this morning. I felt like my home was more of a circus (with me as head trainer!), rather than a house filled with contentment and peace.

The four smallest children tested me, and tested again. They were cross, weepy and contrary.

When the three oldest children woke up, I noticed one had a very large chip on her shoulder. It was almost more than I felt capable of bearing!

Scolding and discipline seemed to bring no relief... for any of them. I wondered what I was doing wrong.

"Why don't these children mind? Why do they not respect my authority?"

I felt angry at them for their disobedience, and "out of control" as a mother. 

The children sensed my upset and frustration. This is what was causing our difficulty, this morning. I'd lost my credibility! They saw how defeated I felt!  

My attitude was wrong, and God spoke to me in a "still, small voice" when I turned to Him in prayer. He reminded me that, as a mother, the authority that I sought over my children was already mine. I didn't have to fight for it. It was already there! All I needed to do was claim it!

Somehow, even though I knew this already, the truth enlightened me.

I was encouraged, bolstered and felt the Lord's arm underneath me, supporting me, as I parented the remainder of the day.

When one of the older children attempted to be sassy toward me when asked to complete an assigned chore properly, I spoke as one who had already "won". I lovingly reminded her that God put me in charge and that she didn't have a choice as to whether or not she would obey.  

There were no more weepy feelings, inside of me. No more feeling like an utter failure. I simply did what God expected me to, according to His Word.  And the children did as they were told. Our evening was a much more "settled", content one than it seemed destined to be, early on. It ended on a positive, happy, smiling note.

The Lord has put a mother and a father over each child He has given life and soul to. Someday, as parents, we will stand before God and will have to give an account to Him for how we chose to raise our children.

Did we stand fast? Did we love them with a whole heart, while simultaneously expecting them to submit to us for their good?

Will our children, as adults, be able to be submissive to the Lord, after our careful training? We must remember that, if they cannot obey us as an authority in their lives, they will be unable to completely obey our Lord.

Share Your Thoughts Share this with a Friend

Shared by mominpa

"Someday, as parents, we will stand before God and will have to give an account to Him for how we chose to raise our children. "


This is the thought that keeps me going...and keeps me from "throwing in the towel" in defeat some days....(we all have those days) and thankfully if we are quiet and listen God WILL speak to us and give us the wisdom and strength we need!!

Thanks for the post...I can relate!!

Link This Entry

Shared by Joanne

I can relate to this. I just telll my kids that this is just the way it is and if they continue with a bad attitude about it, they will be more miserable. Why choose to be miserable? And you know...the same is for us parents. I find that when confronted with a situation like this, if we are cheery it becomes contagious! At first the kids get irritated that their little ploy didn't work, but then soon they start adsorbing the cheery attitude (at least to some degree!) The same goes the other way with an angry attitude....parents can really help to set the tone in their homes!
Love your blog....and don't get discouraged :) Talk to you hubby about getting a little time to yourself....we moms need a little rejuvenation now and then :)
Joanne

Link This Entry

Shared by Anonymous

Excellent post! So true ~ so true.......

I hope today is a better day for you all.... yesterday was hard for me too...... and so has this morning been........ beautiful mirror in our renovated bath fell out because dh did not secure it tightly as I had hoped and asked him too ~ I was frustrated and flew off the handle and need to seek forgiveness from the Lord and my wonderful dh.

Thank you for your posts...... they are so encouraging and "real".... keep sharing!

Blessings to you & yours,
gloria

Link This Entry

Shared by morningsunshine

thank you for the comment on my post. I thought the same thing, that his visit was a blessing to remind me of all I have. and to be very grateful for my blessings. it was also great that he was here THAT week, because we were just starting our daily devotional - his first morning here was our first morning of it, and since he was here it really helped push us to start that habit.
anyway, thanks for your post today - we are running on very little sleep around here (crying screaming baby) and that makes everyone a little bit more cranky than usual......

Link This Entry

Shared by trying2bfrugal

This has happened to all of us at one time or another. It is important that we recognize the problem and correct it. I appreciate your honesty on your blog. We could all learn a lot from you.

Link This Entry