I'm the Mom
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Jan. 8, 2008
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New Year...New Name
I have a new name...this name is being tested, daily....I shall explain. My 8 year old son wanted to begin his new year by doing a devotional using the word new. So, as I was breezing through his Children's Adventure Bible, I came across Exodus 32, which contains the story of Jacob receiving his new name, Israel, from God. Israel means 'struggles with God' and according to my Baker's Theological Dictionary the idea of struggling with God, is that Jacob/Israel struggles with God and when he submits to God, Jacob/Israel wins. The "pre-loaded" devotional that accompanied this story suggested an idea . The idea is; the child is to choose a new name that will help build his character. Great idea! We decided to choose new names. My son choose the name Helpful and I choose Patient....I'm sure you can see just where this is going! We then sealed the deal by making ourselves decorated name tags. We were to wear them all day as a reminder to ourselves (and others) of our new names and characters. This would help change our approach to the day. Well I started my stint as Patient by misspelling my name, as my oldest son cleverly pointed out. I had to redecorate a new name tag...patiently! However, it was such a great exercise, learning to be accountable! I have to say, it is incredibly difficult to loose your patience when you have tell your 14 year old son, for the millionth time, not to throw his dirty socks on the kitchen counter, while you are making BREAKFAST!! All that day I found myself having to redirect my attitude and approach to the frustrations of the day. I began to wonder if it was such a brilliant idea after all  . It reminded me of a former pastor who had encouraged us to prayerfully ask God to intervene in our lives. We were to ask Him to divinely help us in the development our characters. He encouraged us to be specific in our prayers about the things we wanted to change....He did give a caveat, he told us to really consider the implications of asking for humility, because, as he said, "God does honor our prayers with REAL answers." Well, I will give the same caveat about asking to develop patience, especially while your children are still in residence....it is a lifeCHALLENGING experience! I have often contemplated on the fact of how easy it was to be a Christian, before I had children to test my faith! But, all kidding aside my new name was mind & heart changing! Every time I looked in a mirror and found the name tag Patience (correctly spelled!) staring back at me. It gave me pause, it reminded me of just how far I was from being patient....in my own strength...I need the Lord to help me in my commission to become a patient mother. It also gave me pause before I reacted to any situation, because the person I was dealing with knew my new name, as the word patience was nicely printed on my cute little name tag to be seen by all. I found out just how much I must depend on the Lord to help me be what I am not naturally, patient.....I thought of some other names that I could re-name myself names like; One Who Doesn't Worry, Loved of God, Kind, Joyful, One Who Trusts God.....Beloved of God, Not Afraid....the list is unending....God's mercy is not.
I brought the idea up with the rest of the family at devotion time they wanted to do it. So, today we all wore the name "Patience" on our name tags...I had a good effect. I hope to try this several times during 2008....not everyday, but we will occasionally rename ourselves and pause during our daily actions and ask God to be in us what we cannot be naturally. We must remember; as Ephesians states, ".....put on the new self, created to be like God, in true righteousness and holiness"....(and patience). And if we fail we must remember that "His mercies are new every morning.." I give you a 2008 challenge...do you have a new name to try out this year? Even if you have to wear it very close to your heart, try it out...God will honor your efforts...
 Silly Story
My 6 year old decided to keep his name for the day...he solemnly told us that "Laughter" was just fine for him. Great! However, he had a hard day too! "Laughter" found it hard to laugh when "Thankful" decided NOT to play his game! "Patience" had to give "Laughter" and "Thankful" a time out....patiently.... |
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• Jan. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment