Thursday, April 16, 2009

Re-Do!

Remember when you were a kid playing a game and things just weren't going well? And you were getting upset and frustrated, but you didn't want to quit? So you pulled together all the courage you could muster and called out, "Re-Do!!!"
And with that one word, you got to start all over. Fresh. It didn't matter what had happened up to that point. With a re-do you got a fresh start and you could face the game again with confidence. And maybe even with a bounce in your step.

Do you remember those experiences?

I loved re-do's.

And even though I am not a kid anymore, I called for a re-do yesterday afternoon.

I was having a rough time with Matthew. Homework was not going well. His ADHD was in overdrive. Need I say more? Uh, I will, anyway.
He was frustrated. I was angry.
He was yelling. I was at a loss for what to do.
He crumpled up his paper and yelled some more. I sent him to his room.
He yelled that he was glad to go to his room because he didn't want to be with me anymore. I stood in the kitchen and cried.

And that's when it occurred to me. I needed to call out a re-do.

I went and knocked on Matthew's door, and he told me to go away. But I opened it and walked in, asking if I could talk to him for a minute.
He was not interested. Can't blame him. I imagine he was expecting a "lecture."
But I started talking anyway.
I talked with Matthew a bit about spiritual attacks. Told him I thought our enemy was trying to attack us because of the Bible reading I'm coordinating for the National Day of Prayer. (This thought occurred to me because as I was in the kitchen crying, I thought to myself, There is too much stress on me right now. I am not going to coordinate this Bible reading thing again next year. Then I realized that is exactly the decision Satan wants me to make. He wants me to think it is too much trouble to have the Word of God proclaimed. Well, guess what? I have victory in JESUS!!!)
So I explained that to Matthew, and he agreed with me. Satan is a jerk! Then we prayed together. I asked God to give us a re-do. Asked Him to give us peace and joy in our hearts. I thanked Him for Matthew, and for Matthew's ability to do his homework. And I thanked Him for the ultimate re-do He has given us through the blood of Jesus.

And can I tell you? Matthew and I emerged out of his bedroom as friends. He sat down at the table and we worked on his homework together. We were not fighting. He was not yelling. I was not angry.
Jesus gave us a re-do, with glad hearts and peaceful minds.

Do you need to call a re-do? God is really good at them!!!

post signature

12 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

LOL! That is great! You are such an awesome mom. I love the way God not only gives us redos but within the part we want to redo there are always great lessons to learn and He grows us. What a blessing you were to your son. With God you were able to take a bad moment and make it a good one! My post today is about Satan and his ways too! Have a great day!

Jessica Nelson said...

Redos! Woohoo! I remember those.
:-)
It's amazing how forgiving and flexible kids are. I'm glad you just went in there rather than letting him be the boss. You sound like an awesome mom.

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

I bet Matthew will be able to hold on to that lesson and apply it in his life many times.

You did an awesome job at going to him and explaining what you knew it was. Even more awesome that you didn't just walk away and wait for him, you acted!

smooches,
Larie

My ADHD Me said...

Whenever I read about your homework challenges, I really really feel for you. I believe I have mentioned to you that I go through the same things here.

More than once I have wished for a re-do.

So glad things went better with your re-do.

I have discovered that with an ADHD child and with having ADHD myself, that the yelling only makes things MUCH worse. That doesn't mean I don't lose it sometimes and end up yelling....it just means I should know better.

Heaven said...

Over the past year, we have had many of the described moments in our household. But I have never went into his room and said, "Hey, we're being spiritually attacked."

Wow, a new door opened for me today. Something that should be so simple has just been left to the side, and I never realized it until now. Thanks for your insight and the willingness to share your day to help us with ours:)

Blessings and big hugs!
Heaven

Tami VanHoy said...

I have a sign in my office that says "oh God of second chances...here I come again!"

Great story...totally relate!!

Kelly said...

Well, we don't have the homework issues, but we have enough OTHER issues that I need a re-do at times too. I have been known to yell. BLAH! I hate it when I do. Thanks for the sharing & good advice.

Stacey said...

I am so glad God is so great at re-dos! And He doesn't seem to have a limit in handing them out, either. If He did, I am quite sure I would've met my quota long, long ago :)

Thanks for the encouragement, and reminder that every single moment in life is somehow about God. He can be honored and glorified in ALL things...even re-dos!

On Purpose said...

Karen I love you! And I love the heart you live out...the one...yeah the new one Jesus gave to you...the one that is SO full of passion. I love the heart...you mommy heart that lives life with your children. For when I am here I am filled with some good Jesus encouragement to go out and live live on purpose! May you know that you are being prayed for and lifted up. Your work is not unnoticed by God Himself!

Melanie said...

Karen,
This is great. Your honesty and vulnerability in sharing the struggles you and Matthew have is so touching...and liberating for me.
My youngest, whom I homeschool, and I go through some tense moments, too. He is the great escape artist when it comes to settling down to do his schoolwork.
Last fall I enrolled him in the same Christian school his siblings attend. But after one week, I withdrew him. What a disappointment for both of us. Over the years, I can't tell you how many times he and I have both cried over schoolwork.
I just want to say thanks for telling your story. It helps me.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Leah Adams said...

I'm sure God gets so tired of me asking for re-dos. I have certainly had more than my share!!

Thanks for the reminder!

Leah

Amanda said...

Way to go Karen!! Way to show your child humility and strength in Jesus!!!

I am so inspired and am going to try my own re-do!

God bless-
Amanda