Week Two!

Challenge: 

This past week has been challenging on multiple levels: my son began throwing temper tantrums and so I had to repeat the phrase, "Jonah, you need to gain self control" at least 1,000 times. My youngest has been screaming all day. She has done this her entire life, but this week she stopped napping which means she screamed for 12 hours a day, every day. Havana, my three year old, is in that phase of asking questions about everything which isn't bad, but can ware you down when also dealing with a boy throwing fits and a screaming baby.  Anyway, it was a tough week and I found myself continually having to bite my tongue.

I don't know about you, but I have been careless with my words in the past. I have said things out of frustration that I knew the minute they were spoken I never should have said. I also have been on the receiving side of those words and have felt the sting they can bring. Because of those memories, I have tried to remain watchful over my words towards my children, but sometimes (like this past week or other overwhelming moments) I have been tempted to say, "you guys are driving me crazy." However, no matter what my circumstances are, I should have such a tight reign on my tongue that I never slip out and say careless words out of frustration or exhaustion. Proverbs 12:18 says, "reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

I never want my children to experience piercing  words from anyone, but especially from me! What a mighty task parents have to only use their tongue in ways that bring healing and life. My challenge is to make sure that there are no reckless words coming out of my mouth. Since my children are young, this will be great practice to discipline myself so that when they hit their challenging teenage years I will hopefully know how to only speak wise words. Reading through the book of Proverbs will certainly be part of my challenge since that book of the Bible is filled with instruction on what wise words look like. If, by chance, you have already spoken reckless words to your children - add to your challenge the act of apologizing for those words and share your new goal with your children. Additionally, I will speak with my husband and a friend I visit with often about holding me accountable in this quest.  

Father God, Scripture tells us that words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21)  and I pray that my tongue will only speak life into my children. When I'm stressed, when I'm disciplining, and when I'm disappointed I pray that my words will remain gentle, kind, and self controlled. Enable me to keep a tight reign on my tongue (James 1:26) and help me not to udder a mean or careless word to my children regardless of what behaviors or attitudes they might have. I love you, Lord, help me to speak Your words and truth into my children's lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

For the Love of My Children:

Dear Jesus, when You were on this earth you prayed for us, Your spiritual children, to be protected from the evil one (Matthew 16:13, John 17:15) and following in Your example I pray that very same thing for my own children. I pray that You will strengthen and protect them from the Evil One (2 Thessalonians 3:3). I pray that they would resist the Devil so that he will flee from them (James 4:7). May my children be aware that the Evil One doesn't just attack through temptation, but also through half truths, compromises, discouragement, worry, and other schemes. I pray that knowledge will take root in their hearts so that Satan might not outwit them (2 Corinthians 2:11). I pray that You would rescue them from every evil attack and that You will bring them safely into Your kingdom. Amen.