Why are we some days so down hearted? Why are some days just so difficult? I have come to truly believe that on this road of mothering the days that are the hardest and most difficult (and probably the least productive) are the days when we are focused on self. We are all selfish, aren’t we? Around every corner we find it.
People push past each other in the store. Why? Because WE have a schedule, we are in a hurry.
People drive fast and get frustrated on the highways. Why? We have somewhere to be.
Children take toys and fight with others. Why? They want it for themselves.
Selfishness is everywhere. And when we, as mothers, have a bad day and we are impatient with our children or this calling seems so heavy and so unrewarding, where is our focus? If we take a moment to be very honest with ourselves and each other, it is usually on ourselves.
I have found that when I am having a hard day and I am discontented with my life I am being self-centered. I am not getting to do or go where I want. The children are not playing in the way I want them to. Things are not going MY way and I am not happy about it.
On those days, I hope to train myself to spend time in prayer and refocus my thinking. Resisting that ever present “roaring lion” that is seeking to “devour” my day. You see, as I wallow in self pity my children are not trained in the ways of God, my attitude does not exhibit that of Christ and I do not show Christ’s love to anyone let alone my family. So, Satan wins yet again.
Serving our families is what we, as women, are called to do and no matter how we fill that calling we should do it as unto Christ. Chew on that for awhile! I know when I did I wanted to spit it out!!! But as I forced myself to digest it and take it into my heart and apply it. Something happened. I had to make a change. It is going to be slow and sometimes difficult but VERY needed.
Colossians 3:23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
I must start serving my children as if it was Christ that I am serving. I must have the attitude toward cooking dinner as if I was cooking for my Saviour. I should do laundry as if it was needed by Christ. I know that my attitude has been far from what it should be now! Do I talk to my children as I would want to be talked to? Would I want a boss talking to me in the way that I train my children? NO WAY! Most of us wouldn’t stand for someone to be constantly nagging us, never showing us in love the right way. So, why do I expect my children to endure such training at the hand of my own tongue? I have no idea. I am ashamed to even think about it.
So, I am praying that with the help of Christ I will retrain my tongue, my heart, and my spirit to serve my family as if serving unto Christ, with a better attitude, and a gentle spirit.
“Father, as I start another day may it be a turning point. May I work here as working for you. May my attitude and my words be pleasing to you. May my love show my children the love that you have for each of us. May my training and discipline be full of love and forgiveness as Yours is. Help me, Father, to not give up. If When, I mess up, please pick me up and put me back on track. Show me how to be more a more loving gentle servant of You here in this home. Amen”
Your Friend,
Amanda
Amen, you say it so well. I am starting a new online bible study even though I didn’t complete the last one. :( I am hoping that if I focus all my energy on being the woman God wants mee to be then I will get a little closer to it. This post has helped me much today. thanks.
Amen, you say it so well. I am starting a new online bible study even though I didn’t complete the last one. :( I am hoping that if I focus all my energy on being the woman God wants mee to be then I will get a little closer to it. This post has helped me much today. thanks.