Alright Moms, funny story for a real issue in our home.. About 6 months ago, we did a lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23). Since then every now and then we will go over all 9 of the fruits and as I name them off all three of the girls do what I call “The Parent Talk” from Charlie Brown (Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah..etc.), until we get to the last one in the order we’ve organized them..SELF CONTROL, which they yell and then fall over laughing. I found this hilarious and of course it can’t be a coincidence because it’s the one I struggle with the most. Of course, through my walk with the Lord, I have learned the hard way that I do not possess this at all on my own..It is a Fruit of the Spirit! On my own I would be (and have been before) running around the house yelling and screaming or in the throws of anxiety crying in a pillow. Apart from starting off the day in prayer and devotion I have found a few other things that help, so here goes:
1. Scripture Memorization
Psalm 19:14 and Proverbs 15:1 are two of my personal favorites.
2. Remember how the Father loves us. We are never disciplined out of the Lord’s anger, only His love. His enduring love for us is the reason the Shepard will leave the 99 sheep to search for the 1 lost. But when my little ones make me burn with anger then I pull out number 3 which is..
3. More Prayer. I fail Him a lot. I repent a lot. When I get irritated in the morning right after I’ve prayed and studied, I have to remind myself that when I said “Amen” that didn’t mean, “The End” it means “so be it”! It’s good to keep the line of communication open with the Father! I also tell my girls I’m sorry when I lose my temper/self control. I tell them that’s why I need the Lord too. And you know what? The Lord is Faithful and Just to forgive me and so far the girls always have too. I’ve also noticed they often tell me sorry on their own when they get in trouble. Lexi tells me almost everyday, “I’m sowy I yelled at you.” Even when she hasn’t done anything wrong, no matter what she is apologizing for that is what she says. Probably because she has heard it from Mama. It is the funniest, cutest thing and also a blessing.
I hope this brought amusement to the many mothers who’ve been here and maybe help a young mom like myself!
As always, God bless!
Hailey Roberts 