Love does not demand its own way. This is a truth that the Lord is working on burning into my heart. Over the past month, I have been meeting with a mentor, a woman who I love and respect SO much. At one of our first meetings, Michele and I talked about my struggles with parenting a toddler. The first question she had for me was, "Jamie, when you are mentoring your children, do you encourage in righteousness, or demand?" OUCH!! That really hit me at the depths of my core. As I searched my heart for the answer to that question I realized that in every area of my life, I often demand my own way. More often that not, I nag Blake in a quest for him to act the way that I WANT him to, or to treat me the way that I WANT him to. When, I discipline Tyler, I seek results that I WANT, and use punishments that are convenient FOR ME. That's not love!! After all, 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Love DOES NOT demand its own way." After a good talk with Michele, I had some blinders taken off of my heart and a big shift in thinking. I now understand that demanding MY WAY is not going to accomplish anything but frustration for everyone in my family. The only person whose actions I can truly control are my own. So, the best way to affect my husband and children is to model righteousness for them, to seek the Lord in all I do and allow my actions to speak for themselves. Another scripture that has new meaning for me is Ephesians 6:4. It says, "Fathers(and mothers), do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.". Reading this with a new set of eyes shows me again, that as long as I am seeking MY WAY, I'm not being the parent God has called me to be. Instead, I must run towards the Lord with my kids and train them in what is good and true through my actions. This is definitely still a struggle for me, but it is a battle with my flesh that I am happy to fight! I am SO thankful for the wisdom of a godly woman who has been down the path ahead of me and is willing to share her heart to help me grow!
This weekend I am in Louisiana visiting my little brother and his wife to celebrate his college graduation. We are staying in the city that holds some of my fondest memories of my life with Blake as well as a few from my high school days. Today I created another day of simple, but priceless memories in this city that still feels like home to me! The best part of the day began after my afternoon nap(yes, I am applying what I have learned from my previous post). The kids were a little restless with energy that needed to be expended as was I, so my brother took us to a new city park. Evan played with Tyler on the playground while my mom took Katy for a walk so I could go for a long bike ride. I was able to breathe in this environment that my heart at times aches for. Hundreds of trees danced above me singing about their Creator with the rustling of their leaves. Magnolia blossoms caught my nose and reminded me of the sweetness of my great-grandmother who treasured their scent as i...
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angelag@crosstimberschurch.org
I have a question for ya!!!!
Thanks and blessings!!!!!!!
I've enjoyed reading this. It IS so tough to do what Toby has always said, "Let go and let God." Being a mommy is tough stuff, it's too bad no one can nail down specific instructions!
Keep in touch, girl. Miss you!