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God is showing my husband and I – in so many ways – the importance of how we act while our children are around. Because, we all know that values are caught and not as much taught.
While reading during my quiet time, I found these verses in I Timothy 4:
11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t
let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to
all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your
faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
14 Do
not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken
over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep
a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what
is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those
who hear you.
These verses spoke to me as a mom. Look at all of the things I am to do as a parent (Heidi’s paraphrasing, of course):
- Teach the Scriptures
- Be an example in what I say, how I live, how I love, my faith, my purity
- Read the Scriptures using them to encourage
- Use my gifts
- Give my all for God’s glory
- Stand for what is right
- Remember others are watching
Where I struggle the most is in my tone and attitude with my husband. When I am tired, frustrated, or just plain mad, I sometimes smart off in an ugly way. From this, my kids are learning how to talk to each other, how to talk to their spouses, and how to talk to others. Ouch!
I Timothy 4 is a tough order to follow. But praise God that we are not alone. God never instructed us to do something that He won’t help us do.
Holy Spirit, remind me at those times when I am beginning to boil that You have a better way. In I Corinthians 10:13 You promise me a way out when I am tempted. Nudge me in a huge way for my marriage and children’s sakes. Thank You for loving me so much to care about these little details. In Jesus’ name….
What has your child learned to do from watching you?
Growling…that is what my children have learned. I will become frustrated or even angry and instead of words flying, I growl. Of course, I didn't KNOW I growled until my boys started growling. They do this whenever they don't get their way and it is VERY uncool. It is a complete sign of disrepect. I have had to lay my "growling" at the feet of Jesus and pray for Him to show me a better way. Now when I feel the urge to "growl" I think of what Jesus did for me and I am immediately overwhelmed with love and realize that I need to be "slow to anger" as well. I am still a work in progress:)
Love this! We are all a work in progress. Praise God for your desire to be changed. He will bless you for it.
WOW! As we watch our children (almost 3 & 5) do or say things we first ask, "Where did they pick that up?" They have very, very limited screen time, and only a small amount of interaction with other children (1-2 hours per week), so the answer is usually Mommy or Daddy, or the child's sin nature. Sometimes it's something cute, like using their hands when they talk, other times it something that really makes us think, "Do we do/say that that frequently?" Lately, our youngest has started saying, "What the heck?!" In and of itself, not so bad, but do I really want my little boy saying that several times a day – I can tell you the answer was absolutely NOT!
Right there with you! Praying that the Holy Spirit will speak clearly and loudly to all of us!