What are You Asking For?
by Charlene
Friesen
Would you allow your child to cram eggs in his
pocket or practice hockey slap shots in a china store? Stuffing eggs in
your pockets may be OK if you're running low on entertainment but the china
store might be a little extreme.
Children's emotions are as fragile as eggs and fine china. We don't need
to jab their feelings with a proverbial hockey stick. Watch your
stickhandling!
Just when I thought I'd seen and heard it all, bombshells started exploding in
our happy home last September. Our oldest son was staring adolescence
straight in its evil eye. Over the last six months, I've noticed huge changes in
his attitude and outlook. When he descends the stairs each morning, I can
actually see his hormones marching two steps in front of him. Those testosterone
taunters are plotting their sordid ways: "OK guys, we're all meeting
at his mouth this morning. Johnny, yell the first insult and Pete will
follow with a zinger."
Although our son's ready to drop the puck for a face off, I must be careful not
to become an opposing player but a coach. A good coach knows when to let a
player vent his frustration and when to take him aside for a little heart to
heart.
Sometimes I need to patiently listen as his mouth rattles like a machine gun.
Otherwise, my comments are equally juvenile and hurtful and I don't need another
child in our house. Other times, I need to interject.
Oh, to have the wisdom of King Solomon! Thankfully, Jesus is eager to
shower the same insight upon you! It's just as easy to ask for parental
guidance, as it is to throw your hands in the air in frustration and defeat.
Our Heavenly Father knows a little something about raising kids.
Jeremiah 33:3 practically shouts, "Call to me and I will answer you and
tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." That's a great
start! Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything.
There's a time to enjoy an ice cream date with your child, a time to remove his
car keys, a time to lock yourself in the bathroom and count to ten and of
course, a time to learn together. A wise heart knows the proper time and
procedure. (Ecclesiastes 8:5b, 6a)
Parenthood was designed as a blessing. Really! Those burdensome times
allow Jesus to build spiritual character in our families. And character
creates stalwart "characters." As we implore for Godly wisdom, we will
become more patient, merciful and considerate toward our children, especially
during those trying times.
Dig deep for that wisdom. Open the Bible and you'll find some very interesting
families. Some parents were extremely diligent and others were
dysfunctional with a capital D. Learn from their victories and mistakes!
What are you asking for? Here's what you need to claim today:
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace
loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. James 3:17 (NIV)
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Copyright 2002 by Charlene Friesen