Greetings to everyone after a long weekend. At my house this weekend, we slept late and enjoyed resting and spending time together. Although very nice, it did make for a particularly difficult morning when we had to get up early and get going. My daughter is not "the early morning child" but rather one who really (REALLY) enjoys sleeping in and staying in her pajamas all morning. So getting up and rushing out the door is just simply not her thing.
It took her thirty minutes to get out of the bed and get dressed and get downstairs for breakfast. She grumbled and complained the entire time. I reminded her of Philippians 2:14 "do everything without complaining...". Even still, she ended up being grounded for the afternoon.
I became frustrated and irritated and allowed her behavior to negatively affect MY own attitude. I fussed at her for most of our thirty minute drive to school. Although we did end on a good note with the "I love you" and "you are my best girl," I couldn't help feeling yucky as I drove home through the rain.
It was only after I returned home that I sat down for my quiet time with God. When will I learn to start my day with Him so I am better equipped for what life throws out at me?
He opened my bible to Titus. Here Paul continually emphasizes loving and doing and teaching "what is good." In 1:7-9, he points out that
"an overseer (an elder or a bishop, indicating maturity, experience, and responsibility for watching over God's flock) must be blameless- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined."
Feeling somewhat convicted, I realized I am my child's overseer. It is my responsibility (and my husbands, of course) to watch over her and teach her about God. This morning I confess I was a bit overbearing....perhaps a bit quick tempered.....perhaps lacking a bit of self control.
I moved on through the scriptures to Chapter 2 where Paul instructed Titus to teach the older women what is good so "they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Chapter 2: 3-5.
There it was again, SELF CONTROL. This morning was definitely not my best illustration of love, self control or kindness.
Although I started out that way, the uncooperative nature of my grumbling, complaining child quickly turned my "kind voice" into an "unkind voice." I did not yell or scream but I also did not teach. Rather, I prosecuted. I accused her of being difficult, of being immature, and of being spoiled.
It dawned on me that Jesus doesn't do that to me. As much as I mess up...as much as I am difficult....as much as I grumble and complain.... as much as I act like an immature, spoiled brat.... He just loves me.
Don't get me wrong. There are always consequences to bad behavior. Throughout the bible, Jesus never acted like bad behavior was okay. He always acknowledged the truth. But after the truth, he always gave grace. And he gave it in a kind and gentle way in an effort to teach people a better way: His way.
Like Jesus, the best teachers are the ones who are kind. The ones who make learning fun. The ones who show us how to discover the answer ourselves versus forcing the answers down our throats. They are the ones who lead us by example.
So today, I pray that we can all be teachers rather that dictators or enforcers or prosecutors....I pray that we can lead others- whether it is our children or our parents or our friends or our coworkers- in a kind and gentle way.
It is so much easier to focus on ourselves. To focus on the fact that WE are tired. That WE need love. That WE, WE, WE. But if we turn the focus to loving others and teaching others....and we seek God in this, we will find that love and kindness and self control within ourselves. And what a wonderful effect that could have!
Peace and blessings to you all.
A
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