"It's Just HIS PERSONALITY!"

"Oh it's just his personality," or "No worries, my little one does the exact same thing!"

Has your child ever acted out causing the above phrases to flow from your lips? It comes up while on the playground, at a play date, or hanging with friends.  In conversing with other moms we justify how our kids behave with a few simple words as if to makes it ok. Truth is...our kids are little sinners. They may have a bend in their personality one way but if I see that it goes against scripture (my Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth = Bible) then I am responsible for sharing truth with my child. 

Unfortunately as I make those quotes/statements I am ignoring the sinful behavior and missing the opportunity to grow my child (and me) in Jesus. We are responsible for catapulting our kids towards change. We can't sweep those teachable moments "under the rug."

As moms we walk through experiences that grow us and challenge who we are and the path we blaze as we raise our little ones. We have a huge responsibility in raising the next generation for Christ. Most challenging and most rewarding job ever. Remember to seek the Lord daily and He will speak truth into your life and give wisdom as you address issues with your child and others too. 

speak the truth in love 
"Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." - Ephesians 4:15

unwholesome talk
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.- Ephesians 4:29

love your neighbor 
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ -Luke 10:27

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. - Luke 6:31

Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor. 

- Romans 12:10

What is the Lord saying to you through this blog today? 

What do you think He wants you to do about it?

Playground Encounters

                                        - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

         

My four year old son has a new best friend.....Sveta. She is a sweet girl, about 7 or 8 years old, who we met at a church picnic last week. Sveta really loved and cherished my little boy. She played with him and praised him.  I was so blessed as I watched how loving and accepting she was with my son. Sometimes my son can be difficult as he plays with other kids. Not this time. He sensed she was truly interested in who he was and what made him happy. She made an impact on him. It was a play date that he will not forget. He remembered her name and prayed for her last night all on his own :) She was a great example to my children as they played together.

I am grateful for play dates. Play dates give such great opportunity for growth and learning as we encounter other children. It isn't always easy. Sometimes our children are grumpy and not too friendly or loving. Sometimes kids may not share. But it opens up dialogue with your children that you may not have otherwise. There have been times my boys have been difficult and in those times of adversity it allows me to share who Christ is and what His word says.

About how we are to "love our neighbor as we love ourself" (Luke 10:27).

About  "do not forget to do good and to share with others" (Hebrews 13:16).

About "do not repay evil for evil" (Romans 12:17).

About praising God for friendship and to "love at all times" (Proverbs 17:17).

About praying for those kids having a rough day and to "be a peacemaker" (Matthew 5:9)

About how to "love our enemy" (Matthew 5:44).

Much fruit has come from those times of playing with others. We have to remember to take those moments off to the side or once in the car to explain and talk about the things that you encountered on the playground. We can be so rushed to get the kids in the car, get to the next place, or off to those scheduled events that we miss that small nugget the Lord was hoping to share through us.

So get out. Have fun. Pray ahead of time, in the car, with your kids for opportunities to show Jesus' love on the playground. Talk after. Pray after. Impart truth into the lives of your little ones. Smile. Enjoy those sweet teachable moments He gives you each day. You may be surprised how the Lord teaches you some lessons along the way too :)

What is God saying to you through this blog?
What do you think He wants you to do about it?