New Beginnings

Well, here we go. I am finally going to try blogging. This is one of my new year "goals". I don't like the word "resolution". It sounds so definite and I personally don't like feeling like a failure if I don't keep my "resolution". I like "goals" much better.

Speaking of failing....I have been very frustrated since the new year has started. Does anyone else struggle with getting back into a "normal" routine again or is it just me? Well, my kids have struggled as well. We have butted heads with school, household responsibilities, respect and kindness towards each other, etc. I have tried very hard to teach and direct them onto the right path but that is hard to do when they act more like mules than sheep. I find myself falling into a bad habit of yelling and getting angry and complaining. Hmmm....sounds familiar.

When I step back and evaluate the situation and actually take time to listen to God, I wonder how many times he feels this way with me? Ouch! I am called to love, teach and train my children the way the Lord does with me. Why is it so hard to extend grace to others when I am just as strong-willed and bull-headed? Thankfully we have a very loving and forgiving God!

After a week and a half of civil war with my children, the Lord finally stopped getting the busy signal from me (that is a whole other lesson). He brought me to a book I have been devouring called Grace Based Parenting: Set Your Family Free. It is helping me parent more like OUR Father (gotta love that!). What hit me yesterday morning was the fact that sometimes I have to ask my children to forgive ME. Double OUCH! 

I don't always act on my convictions but chose to do it God's way this morning and write both my children a note asking their forgiveness for my part in our no good, horrible, very bad week. In case you are wondering, no, there was no poof of purple smoke and all the sudden I have perfect angels or rather, sheep. In fact, something better happened. Both of my children (at different times) came up to me to confess and ask forgiveness with promises to try harder at pleasing God. WOW! What more could I ask for?!

Although our day was still far from "perfect" by most people's standards, it was "perfect" to me in that ALL of our hearts have come closer to becoming more like the docile sheep the Shepard leads instead of obstinate mules.

 Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.