• Sep. 5, 2007
It's been a while

I haven't written for ages.  I had kind of given up on blogging, thinking that I just didn't have the time, and that perhaps it was even a waste of time.

Today, though, I was sitting feeding 11 week old Abi and wishing I had time to journal.  (God is teaching me so much at the moment!)  Then I remembered that the reason that I started a blog was to journal, not necessarily to spend hours on the computer.

So, I want to record something that I learnt today.  I was in the storage shed, trying to clean it out.  There were some things I wanted to find, and I know that Trent likes the storage shed clean.  The children enjoyed pottering around me for a while, trying to be helpful, but really making the job more difficult!  Then, Joseph came over the 'play' with the boys and to 'help'. He ended up being a really, really good help and it was lovely to have that time with him.  I started to think, 'Why can't my children be this settled and helpful?'  (They had found some shopping bags and were outside having sack races in them.  I had to smile at their creativity!) 

Then I had a self-transcendent moment - I took a step back and really looked at MYSELF.  When Joseph found cards, rubbish and all sorts of toys and knick-knacks, I would smile at him, take the things from him and tell him in a lovely gentle voice how good it was that he was helping.  However, when one of my children pulled something out or accidentally knocked something over, I would answer in irritation.  Sometimes I would say something like, "We're not here to get things out.  No! Put that away.  We don't need that now." 

I realised that I often talk to my children in irritation and frustration, teaching them that what they are saying and doing is in the way and not important. Wow, what a lesson.  I need God's help SO much to be more gentle and patient with my children.  How I need the fruit of the Spirit in my life more and more each day!

A little bit later, I also heard TJ bellow at Jesse.  How often do I  bellow at my children, in the name of getting things done and staying organised.  Lord, I need your help!

I looked down at my 11 week old princess, and realised that I have a new chance to start again with a child. I can teach her to be loving, gentle and kind right from the beginning, and pray that the damage that I have done in my older children will be healed and restored.

Thankyou, God, for being so patient with me. 

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Comments

• Sep. 8, 2007
:)

Posted by jlschock

My mother in law calls kids "too much help helpers" when they are making the task harder.

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