"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient...." 2 Timothy 2:24
We recently found out we were expecting a seventh child, and our joy has been mixed with some apprehension as I wondered how I would manage the coming weeks of all day nausea. We have been managing, I have been very thankful for good read alouds and children who are willing to be hands and feet for me as I struggle to keep up with our busy household. At the peak of this time however, I found my attitude to be a bit peevish. I was managing school okay, but without a very sweet attitude. I found my responses to my children to be less kindergarten teacher and more drill sergeant as I fought to overcome the rumbling and aching of my tummy. I even broke my cardinal rule of never insulting my children to tell two of them I thought they had sawdust in their heads, while slogging through a math lesson. I really blew it on that one.
I don't know exactly what effected the change, but God gave me a new dose of grace, and the realization that no matter how I feel, they are still children, given to my charge and I need to treat them with gentleness. I don't think that grumpiness is listed in Galatians 5 as one of the works of the flesh, but that really is what it is, letting my flesh, how I feel, rule how I act. God calls us to be ruled by His Spirit, and the evidence of that is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. We can be sweet and loving with our children, even when we feel yucky, but for me at least, I can only do it with help from the Lord.
Jen Pepito
