overcoming anger {day 24} use kind words

Today, in discussing house rules with my kids....we talked about no hitting, no spitting, etc etc.  And then we talked about speaking in kindness.  Well, what good am I unless those rules apply to me too? 

No hitting.

I am doing pretty good.  We are doing pretty good.  Significantly better.  That said, PMS is knocking on my door.  I feel it creeping up.  The anxiety building.  But, yesterday I had the same stressful situation happen and the outcome was different.  Something is happening.  Change is happening in me. 

The change I still need to make is to use kind words.  The threats are still there.  "Do you need a spanking?"  "Do you need me to spanka ya hiney?"  No matter how cute the delivery or the response "no!  no spanka my hiney!" the threat is still there.  The anger is still looming.  "I just want to tape her mouth shut!" I said after a full day of being followed by a one year chanting "Dink?"  "dink!"  "apple juice!" 

Parenthood is challenging. 

It is the thing that breaks you. 

I am broken.  But I am blessed. 

Faith is carrying me over these painful rocks.  Jesus created me to be good.  To love well.  He burned this desire into my heart from the earliest age.  I see my own 5 year old daughter and imagine it is like listening to what I must have been like.   She is constantly talking about having a baby in her belly.  I wanted to be a mama as long as I can remember. 

These are his children. 

All of them. 

I need to stop seeing them as mine and look at them as His.  If Jesus was sitting in the room with me, what kind of parent would I be?  Well...He is sitting in the room with me.  He is here.

This is the Year of Faith.  I am planning a retreat for Advent for women and the topic will be on "Bringing the Year of Faith Home". 

Jesus.  Let me start by bringing you home.  Back into my home.  Please help me see my precious children through your eyes.  To love them with your love.  Jesus, I trust in you!