Devotional for today.... I really needed to read these words!

August 21, 2008 The Mother I Want to Be by: Glynnis Whitwer

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV)

Devotion:

I should have responded better. Patience and kindness would have been a more appropriate response than the unjustified annoyance that laced my tone of voice. In a regrettable moment of anger, I spoke words that left my son sad, and me wishing I could press the rewind button and keep my mouth zipped.

Unfortunately, I often respond better to the bigger challenges of parenting than the everyday frustrations. If you were a fly on my kitchen wall for a one day, you would wonder why a minor event sparked an annoyed response on my part. If your house is like mine, the answer is because that minor event actually happens frequently. Hence, I fall into the “If-I’ve-told-you-once-I’ve-told-you-a-thousand-times” trap of thinking, which doesn’t lend itself to much mercy.

When my patience wears thin, I find myself strikingly similar to the person spoken about in Ecclesiastes 7:9: a fool with a lap of anger. Unfortunately, when that lap is full, it only takes the slightest spark for frustration and anger to spill over onto some unsuspecting victims.

I know God is calling me to deal with this anger in a healthy and godly way. When my spirit is provoked, my first response should be to hold my tongue. While that doesn’t deal with the heart issue, it does keep me from speaking hurtful words that can never be withdrawn. But I can’t leave it there. I must address ongoing parental frustration as a spiritual issue and bring my concerns to God in prayer. I find that as I honestly confess my sin, the door is opened for God to bring His healing peace into my heart.

Anger over injustice is good. Anger over childish behavior isn’t. When I don’t confess my inappropriate anger to God, it just starts building up, making me a fool with a full lap. I’m so glad God offers me forgiveness when I mess up, and puts me back on the path of developing a sweet spirit of patience and gentleness within me. That’s the kind of mother I want to be.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me in spite of my weaknesses. Thank You for providing a way for me to deal with anger, and to become the kind and gentle woman we both want me to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.




These words by Glynnis just spoke to me, b/c I've been dealing with those feelings and situations too. I am so quick to snap at Rachel and Ben on some days. It's not fair to them for me to just "lose" it. I am praying for God to help me to hold my tongue and really look at the problem that I have inside. I am learning more and more about the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22), patience, kindness and goodness, etc... to my loved ones especially. I ususally tend to be "all that" with those that I don't see often (friends and family).



BTW, I am sorry for not blogging more. We did lose our external hard drive and all that was on there. I was quite frustrated that we lost our pics for 2008 (Ben had backed-up the others, thank GOD). So I have not been uploading pics b/c we're looking for another external hard drive to put the new pics on. I did upload some pics today, so here goes! :)

Daddy & Rachel eating at their favorite restaraunt "Emmy's". :) This was taken before we took Daddy to the airport. He had a staff development in Orlando, FL. :)

Papa & Rachel playing "pirates"! My dad takes it to a whole new level! ;)

Rachel had her hair in braids when she went to bed and when she woke up, she had wavy hair! ;)

Daddy back home from Florida (or Flordida as Rachel called it). She just loved her princess hat, t-shirt and postcard from Daddy! ;)