Sometimes I recall it in slow motion: Those moments when my kids are laughing, bantering back and forth about this and that, volume rising. A friendly debate ensues, and this mom sees it’s fixin’ to get nowhere fast, maybe even ugly.
Then BAM, something inside me snaps, and I just want it to end. I don’t want the conflict, the arguing, the drama. There goes the wrecking ball, aka my tongue lashing, swooshing in to destroy the pettiness and pride. But whose going to destroy mine?
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18, ESV
It’s hard to admit I’ve been there more than a time or two or ten…most of the time I submit to the still small voice inside me saying, “Warning, temperature rising, don’t lose it, don’t do it, Mom! Harsh words stir up anger…proceed with caution.”
But sometimes I surrender to the flesh and most of the time it ain’t pretty. Maybe you’ve been there too. Maybe even today.
I’ve prayed about this weakness almost daily for years, and the Lord has been faithful to help me improve as I trust and obey Him. When I do fail, though, He’s taught me to be quick to ask for forgiveness (from Him and from the family), and also to be quick to forgive myself. It’s actually more damaging when I sweep it under the rug and pretend nothing happened than when I try to save face in front of my family. And it is no more productive to brood and beat myself up, apologizing over and over, maybe even offering the kids a little treat to feel better about the damage I did.
It’s about being the real deal. We are going to mess up as moms. We’re going to wish we could go back 5 minutes or an hour or a day and reverse our mistakes. But God will redeem them as we deal with our sin and struggles honestly. And our hot-tempered tongue is a biggie, one that will wreck our family relations for years to come if not surrendered to the Lord for change and growth.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20, ESV
We can’t produce change in our own strength. It will come as we admit to God and ourselves that we are weak and needy and every bit as prone to pettiness as our children. We need to ask Him daily for small victories that will prepare us for larger ones. As we abide in Him, He will be faithful to change us from the inside out, little by little every day. We will come to be known as moms that open our mouths with wisdom, with faithful instruction on our tongues (Prov. 31:26).
“Victory over all the circumstances of life comes not by might, nor by power, but by a practical confidence in God and by allowing His Spirit to dwell in our hearts and control our actions and emotions.”
Eric Liddell
_____________________________________________________________
REGISTER NOW for the
2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER
July 31st – August 2nd,
Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church
Registration Information, Location, List of Breakout Sessions, Descriptions of Workshops, Conference Speaking Team, Better Together Conference Flyer, Better Together Bulletin Insert (Full Color), Better Together Bulletin Insert (Black & White), Better Together Conference Cards (Postcard Size)
Dallas, Texas · FaithColoredGlasses.com
- Jolly Belongs in Christmas - December 12, 2014
- Practical Planning Before the Holidays - November 27, 2014
- When Your Kids Have Good Ideas… - October 24, 2014
