I have always admired the families on television shows that have breakfast together, sitting around the kitchen table, fully dressed and ready for life. The perfect children always smile brightly and kiss their perfect parents goodbye before heading to school for the day.
My mornings fall somewhere in between a bad remake of Wrestlemania and a horrible depiction a history channel war movie.
Undoubtedly the debate always begins with my daughter’s clothes that she picked out the night before but would change twice that morning, and then lead into a full fledge argument about her hair.
Then we part for the day- her, having cried at least once; and I, stomping out the door, pouting and angry.
Recently my husband “helped” me to see the circumstance for what it clearly was: He told me that Mia was acting appropriately for her age. But I… was… not.
At the time I hated to admit it, but He was right.
If I am truthful sometimes my reactions look pretty close to those of an unbeliever. If I am truthful, my reactions are natural, instead of supernatural.
My reaction is only a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem. As a mature Christian, I should be slow to anger and slow to speak; and as her parent, I should be modeling Jesus before her, but there are days when I fail miserably at both. I allow situations to dictate my emotional response because I am not consistently planted in Christ.
Too frequently my frustrations, the obstacles, and the disappointments become missed opportunities to show Jesus to my family.
I don’t believe I am alone in this.
Friends, we must begin to plant ourselves in good soil full of nutrients and continue to water ourselves with the living water, so God will cause the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us abundantly.
Instead of allowing our emotions to dictate the outcome of situations, let’s look to the Holy Spirit to instruct us how to respond in those difficult moments. If we cultivate the environment that is healthy for growth, we will have the patience and self-control that will supersede any outburst, dry any tears and calm any tantrum.
Together let’s acknowledge our struggle with maintaining composure during difficult moments. But beyond that let’s take our struggle to the Lord-- planting ourselves just a little deeper into Him so that our responses can be seized opportunities to point others to Christ.
Word of the Day:
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16
Prayer:
Lord, I admit that I am in desperate need of your presence. When I get caught up in the moment, and I forget that I am planted in you, please remind me of your grace, which abounds at the foot of the cross. Please remind me, Lord, of the peace that lives in me in the person of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural power that He contains, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Author: Kandice Adams
My mornings fall somewhere in between a bad remake of Wrestlemania and a horrible depiction a history channel war movie.
Undoubtedly the debate always begins with my daughter’s clothes that she picked out the night before but would change twice that morning, and then lead into a full fledge argument about her hair.
Then we part for the day- her, having cried at least once; and I, stomping out the door, pouting and angry.
Recently my husband “helped” me to see the circumstance for what it clearly was: He told me that Mia was acting appropriately for her age. But I… was… not.
At the time I hated to admit it, but He was right.
If I am truthful sometimes my reactions look pretty close to those of an unbeliever. If I am truthful, my reactions are natural, instead of supernatural.
My reaction is only a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem. As a mature Christian, I should be slow to anger and slow to speak; and as her parent, I should be modeling Jesus before her, but there are days when I fail miserably at both. I allow situations to dictate my emotional response because I am not consistently planted in Christ.
Too frequently my frustrations, the obstacles, and the disappointments become missed opportunities to show Jesus to my family.
I don’t believe I am alone in this.
Friends, we must begin to plant ourselves in good soil full of nutrients and continue to water ourselves with the living water, so God will cause the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us abundantly.
Instead of allowing our emotions to dictate the outcome of situations, let’s look to the Holy Spirit to instruct us how to respond in those difficult moments. If we cultivate the environment that is healthy for growth, we will have the patience and self-control that will supersede any outburst, dry any tears and calm any tantrum.
Together let’s acknowledge our struggle with maintaining composure during difficult moments. But beyond that let’s take our struggle to the Lord-- planting ourselves just a little deeper into Him so that our responses can be seized opportunities to point others to Christ.
Word of the Day:
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16
Prayer:
Lord, I admit that I am in desperate need of your presence. When I get caught up in the moment, and I forget that I am planted in you, please remind me of your grace, which abounds at the foot of the cross. Please remind me, Lord, of the peace that lives in me in the person of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural power that He contains, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Author: Kandice Adams
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