Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young

The thought came across my mind a little while back that if God gently leads those that are with young-that means mothers; mothers who have children, especially young children-there is a certain gentleness about the way God leads and deals with mothers who have young(I envision babies).  So if God Himself leads moms with such tenderness how much more should moms lead their young with the same tenderness and gentleness? 

This verse and this thought really strikes a cord in me, almost tearing my heart up inside b/c I remember the days when I CHOSE to react to my children with IMPATIENCE.  I remember the days I CHOSE to raise my voice b/c a mess was made and all I could see was an extra thing for this very tired mom to clean up and do.  I remember the times when I OVER-REACTED to something done or said and I FELT the Holy Spirit trying to get me to calm down before that disapproving expression on my face was shown to my children as I watched their little faces and heads drop.  I'm not saying my children don't need to be corrected sometimes, they most definitely do but it's the HOW not the WHAT that is the big issue here for me.  Did I correct/chastise with a gentle spirit/rebuke?  Not every crime calls for such harsh punishment.

Oh how I wish I could undo those days, those times but I cannot.  All I can do now is to ask God to protect my children's spirits from being damaged b/c I fell short and to keep this scripture before me of God's grace and realize that freely I have received(of God's grace, forgiveness, tenderness, gentleness), then freely I MUST give(Matt 10:8).  I must give my children the same gentle correction that God gives me. Gentle but firm.  Loving yet strong.  Always accepting of them and who they are but yet and still upholding a standard.

That is how the Father loves and I want my children to know the Father's love.....