(this is the second part of a post I started earlier today yesterday... you can read part one by clicking HERE)
Okay, so where were we? Oh yes... I last left off telling you about my rotten day last week. I was feeling pretty awful after overhearing my kid rant about my ridiculous rules to a small crowd of kids. I was at the same time brokenhearted, embarrassed, and FURIOUS. I wasn't even sure what to do... and I'm still not sure I did the right thing. What I wanted to do is put him in a box marked 'Return to Sender' and leave him on the curb. But I didn't. First, I went down and stopped the kid from saying anything worse. I spoke in a tone of controlled anger and in no uncertain terms let the room know that this comic routine was not only rude, hurtful, and mean spirited, but false. Then I let my kid suffer a bit think on it for a minute before being called to my room for a private peek at the pain that cruelty had caused. I cried genuine tears and, for the first time in a long time, I saw my kid with a look of true repentance. That night I found a note on my pillow with a sincere apology and a promise for better choices in the future. Though it was short and reasonably mild, this trial was draining. I took a deep breath and collapsed into bed that night, exhausted from the day's battle.
The next day, my friend shared this scripture with me:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 5:10
"What if," she asked... "what if this scripture is not just for people in foreign countries who are jailed for being Christians, but also for US when our kids are angry with us for making rules based on righteousness?"
*cue the aha moment*
"OOOOOhhhhhhh," my soul breathed as I pondered on this throughout the day, "What if the persecution we feel from refusing to compromise in our homes is actually a tool of God's to bless us, and prepare us for heaven as well?"
When I realize that God allows even the small trials to shape us, when I realize I'm not in this alone... when I really look at the words from the Bible that say that God disciplines those that He loves...When I realize that God understands what it's like to have children who rebel against what's good for them *a-hem*.... then, I can gather the fortitude to press on. I can keep on going even though there are many more years of this, and I hold on tight & fast to a promise that I am claiming in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ:
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6
8 comments:
Great thoughts and makes me want to keep pushing on.
I needed to read this today. This week one of our tween children said something after discipline to one of his brothers that was over the line and it broke my heart. I actually pondered how I was going to make it through the teenage years. Thank you for reminding me that I need to persevere.
I know it can be hard to share the ugly and hard stuff about parenting. But let me tell you, Amber, I learn so much from you. I hope you keep putting it out there, sister.
Love ya!
I just love it when this kind of "stuff" comes out of trial!! You pressed on, Mama! And as a result your sweet boy saw his mother's heart and sometimes they "hear" it but don't visibly "see" it.
So, for that I am thankful that both of you walked away from this gaining a greater understanding of Jesus and each other!
Love ya!
You know, sometimes I think I respond in anger when really, I'm feeling hurt. The fact that you allowed your son to see your pain--to see how sin grieved you--gave him a picture of how sin grieves our FAther. Even if he didn't realize it, and even if that wasn't your intent.
You are an amazing parent, Amber. God's fortitude in you is incredible. I know this was so hard. And I thank you so much for letting us see in. xxxooo
good stuff! we're just creeping up on the teenage years and i can sometimes see a glimpse of things to come. you handled that so well.
Oh Amber. This made me cry.
My son is doing some head-butting of his own lately and it just pushes every single one of my buttons.
I'm sorry this happened to you. But I love that you stood firm and that you got a glimpse of repentance from him. That gives me hope in a way.
I am so thankful that you're a few steps ahead of me in the parenting teen boys arena. You have much wisdom to share.
Post a Comment