Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Moments Like This

I have good moments.
When the kids and I are getting along nicely. When everyone is doing what they should. We're having fun and no one is 'annoying' anyone else.
I like those moments. It's fun being a mom in moments like those.

And then there are moments like this.
When I tell Joshua he isn't allowed to shoot his air-soft gun in the house. (Not a new rule!) He says it's a stupid rule, and I say it's a rule whether he thinks it's stupid, or not. He carries on a bit more, then says I'm annoying.
I remain calm, though inside I'm thinking, I'm annoying? Son, look in the mirror! And I walk out of his room.
I wonder how much of this I should take from him. How much is normal teenage-push-mom-away-gotta-separate-myself-from-her kind of stuff? And how much is blatant disrespect which I need to not tolerate? I just don't know where that line is, and in moments like this I want to throw my hands up in the air and say, I quit!
But in moments like this, I also remember the words of a dear woman at Edgewood (93 years old) who told me one day - with tears in her eyes - the greatest thing her son ever said to her is, "Mom, thanks for never giving up on me." And I hold onto hope that one day I'll hear those same words.

I hold onto HOPE, trusting HIM to give me the strength to not give up in moments like this.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Karen

6 comments:

BASSakward Tales said...

My son does the same thing...I have realized I don't have anything in my house that could be broken by the soft bullet...don't know if that is your case...but I found out the more I complained the worst it got...

TheUnSoccerMom said...

Christen does the same thing. She knows exactly how to push my buttons. I have to remember how I was at her age, realize she's no where NEAR as rude a teenager as I was, count my blessings and (hopefully) w/out yelling, explain respect for the millionth time.

I'm going to send that verse to my Mom. She is not doing well at all since she was laid off. Even with the promise of new jobs here and a great severance package, she is totally overwhelmed.



Thank you!

Patricia said...

This is such a beautiful scripture!

So, I better hold onto this one...sounds like I'll need it in about 6 or 7 years! ;)

Karen Hossink said...

Ginny - How SOFT are your bullets? Joshua has a bunch of dents in his wall...

Jodi - Yeah. That's another thing I consider - how I was at that age. It's a hard line to draw. BUT God is ultimately in control. I need to remember that!
I pray this verse will encourage your mom.

Patricia - HIS Word is always beautiful. Amen?

km said...

I don't text. I have an old phone that works for just calls. Well, I could text, but I just have the number keys to type with. Not worth it.

Karen Hossink said...

KM - I think you meant to put this comment with the other post. *wink*
But I know what you mean. My previous phone had only a key pad - another reason I didn't text at that time!