Friday, February 06, 2009

When the Scriptures Come to Life

Last evening was not a good time at my house. Brian was late getting home and my kids were in rare form. It seemed everyone needed to ask me questions at the same time, no one could remember how to do simple tasks like - oh - setting or clearing the table, the boys were in a nearly constant state of "bicker," and Matthew's ADHD appeared to be in over-drive.
I was trying to speak calmly and kindly to them. I really was. But after about the one hundredth time of telling them to stop fighting and start clearing the table, I couldn't take it anymore. I made a very fast exit from the kitchen, announcing that I was going to my room so I wouldn't scream at the kids. Once in my room, I dropped to my knees and begged God to calm me down and give me strength.
In the background I could hear my children verbalizing their realization that I was really upset with them. And I wondered, Was it the storming out of the room that did it? Weren't my repetitive demands and heavy sighs enough to clue them in on the fact that their behavior was out of line???
Whatever it was, I could tell they were sorry and were ready to change their tune.
So I emerged from my room and we started over.

An hour later, I was taking Joshua to the store so he could use a gift card to get a neat hat he wanted. As we drove, he apologized several times for the way he had behaved around the dinner hour. He said if he had any money left on his gift card, I could use it for something I wanted. He even offered to share his Slurpee with me.
Knowing Joshua was trying to "make it up to me," I thanked him for the offer, but told him he could use all of his gift card on the things he wanted. I told him the thing I really want is just for him to do what he knows is right. I said, "I don't want your 'things,' Joshua. I want your obedience." He nodded and said, "OK," as if he truly understood.
And I smiled, hoping he would take my words to heart.
Then it dawned on me, I've heard those same words before, haven't I?

Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
Sometimes He really does make the Scriptures come to life!

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7 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Thankfully our Father is patient with us!! Great lesson for us all.

Leah

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

Funny how we think we are teaching our children, (or anyone), something but we find out that the lesson is really for ourselves!

smooches,
Larie

Kelly said...

The funny thing is, He doesn't just make the scripture come to life to help us parent, no usually it is to show us what WE are doing wrong. *sigh*

luvmy4sons said...

Oh AMEN! I see correlations between me and my children and me and my God ALL THE TIME! I am with you on this one! What a sweetie litle guy you have there! Blessings to you this weekend!

greta said...

I had that day TODAY! So, its encouraging to see others having that kind of day, but it is also encouraging to read how you handled it. I am still working on the whole "leave the room BEFORE you blow up" thing. :) Love you!

Amanda said...

Wow! That is so profound...and right on! And I gotta try that whole just walking away thing, I have been feeling so guilty abiut my yelling lately...

Thanks for the reminder...

God bless-
Amanda

Ronel said...

interesting..