“Why haven’t you finished your homework yet? We have things to do. You are so slow.”
“I am so sick of reminding you to pick up your dirty towel and put it in the hamper. Why can’t you just do things the first time I ask?”
“You are irritating the snot out of me, go away.”
Those are all things I regret to admit I have uttered to my teens thisweek.
Image by Images by John 'K' via Flickr
I went to my prayer journal yesterday, convicted about the darts aimed at the hearts of my sweet kids that I have allowed my words to become.
I told God that I don’t want to be irritable and snippy with my children. I admitted that I can’t control my attitude and actions without Him. And, then I said…
Lord, how can I better love these kids? One comes in stinky and sweaty from wrestling practice wanting to show me his latest move and all I can think is “ewww, take a shower”. Another makes incessant tapping noises while I am on the phone, waiting for my attention, and I snap and tell him to go away. They are my precious babies, growing up before my eyes. I don’t want their memories of the last few years spent under our roof to be of mom in a bad mood, grumpy and dismissive. Please give me Your eyes to see what You see when You look at them. Help me to look past the annoying {and stinky and sulky and…} exterior to the men and women You have designed them to be. Make me the mom they need and deserve through these years of teen tumult. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Friends, it has been less than 24 hours since I prayed that prayer and God has already had me laughing more, complaining less. He has helped me see my youngest son’s quirky sense of humor and my middle son’s desire to please. My daughter’s need for independence and my fleshly desire for things to be “just so”. He has opened my eyes to the gift that each of them are to me.
It is not easy, this parenting of children on their way to adulthood. But, God is there. He is faithful to answer a mother’s prayer.
How can we pray for you today?
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Oh, am I THERE too. It’s just so hard sometimes. I’m glad you’re getting help. I sure need it!