The Fruit of Our Words

As parents we find ourselves at times rolling on the floor laughing at the funny things our kids say!  However, there are other times when we hear the awful things kids say that leave us with a different taste in our mouths.

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:36-37

I was working in our kitchen listening to the playful conversation between brother and sister in the playroom when all of a sudden Jordan said something that sounded so condescending to her big brother.  And then I realize it sounded a lot like how I talk to her at times. God tugged on your heart and said, “It doesn’t sound good coming out of your mouth either, My daughter.” It left me humbled, feeling so ugly with my words to my sweet daughter!  When this happened I found myself like the mom on the movie “A Christmas Story”, putting the bar of soap in her own mouth.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Perfect Answers

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OK, so my latest struggle is the typical “going to school” kind of struggle.  Our 8^th grader is bombarded by homework and dance.

She is in the dance concert at her school which means she has daily rehearsals.  Four days a week she leaves rehearsals to go straight to her dance studio.  By the time we get home, have dinner and a bath…I’m pooped.  We aren’t done yet.  She has homework.  Reading, math, history, Bible, computers.  Now, she is not a slacker.  She works ahead as best she can.  It’s the normal 8^th grade stuff.

8^th grade is the preparation for 9^th grade…and beyond.

It is so hard to know what our children should do.  Greg so wisely said in the early days of parenting, “Just because they “could” do something, doesn’t mean they “should.”   So, I’m struck with, should she dance, should she stay up late and study, should she have a friend over, does she still need a bed time?

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Should she? Could she?

Tonight as we sent our daughter to bed with her homework incomplete, I lament for not knowing, was this the right choice? Should we have allowed her to stay up late to finish the homework? Should we have not allowed her to enjoy some extra family time?  Should we have not allowed her the extra time to work on the Christmas train around the tree?

I don’t know if I’m doing this right.  I just know I have to hold on to Him who cares far more than I.  Hold on to Him who knows what is right and best.  So, how do I practically hold on?

When I’m looking for those perfect answers to the tough “Should she?” “Could she?” questions.  I need to find myself in prayer and in His Word.  Seeking, searching for Him to guide me.

I don’t believe He is hiding the answer from me, I believe He wants me to seek Him for every perfect answer. 

Challenge: For every difficult parenting situation you find yourself in the next two days, seek the Lord through prayer and Bible study for the perfect answer.  Take note of His perfect answers and share them with a friend to encourage them.