Today was one of those days where I felt like I was constantly sending a child to their room to be disciplined...and if I wasn't actually sending them to their room than, more often than not, I felt like I was thinking about whether or not I should send them to their room or show grace or simply exhort them right where they were in the behavior that they should have been having. All of the above happened continuously throughout the day.
I'll be honest, I am emotionally exhausted tonight. Shepherding hearts is not an easy job...especially when I have to spend a fair amount of time seeking to get MY heart right with God before I address my dear children!!:) It's easy on days like today to feel like I did not accomplish much...school took longer than planned, the house did not get picked up like it needed, there was little time for rest and I didn't get my banana bread made AGAIN today :) (In fact, we had to move the very over-ripe banana's to the garage because we woke up this morning to fruit flies EVERYWHERE!:)). But nothing could be farther from the truth. The Lord gave me opportunity after opportunity to address the most important part of my children...their souls.
I was reminded today of the words of J.C. Ryle in "The Duties of Parents":
"Precious, no doubt, are these little ones in your eyes; but if you love them, think often of their souls. No interest should weigh with you so much as their eternal interests. No part of them should be so dear to you as that part which will never die."
I know I have shared some of the truths that I have learned from this godly man in this little booklet (only 34 pages!), but I also realized that so often I am the forgetful hearer that is talked about in the book of James. I am desperately in need of constant reminders of my God-given role and calling! So, I decided that I am going to read "The Duties of Parents" every month. There are 17 "points" in the booklet and each "point" is approx. a page and a half...so that makes it very doable for a wonderful review of one "point" every other day or so of my duty and responsibility as a mommy! Anyone want to join me? :)
Comments
Now I really feel special! You were willing to feed me and my family after the rough day you had!!!
I'm so happy you are my friend!
And God certainly understands how we feel when our children don't obey and follow the rules...I think God would send me to my room a lot!!! :(
Love you and keep "training" your children.
Ruth
Got any booklets on how to shepherd souls of kids who don't belong to you when you work in a place where you have to watch your speech so you don't offend anyone?
The link above is a free copy you can read online. I just looked for it and their it was. I'm so thankful. Now I'm going to read it along with you.
Thank you Kristin and I share in your thoughts about training their hearts and examining our own hearts. I needed to hear what you said sometimes I feel like I'm going in circles. I also like this quote:
Whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, When I am conscience of the least uneasiness within or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination!
I will endeavor to never do anything now, which I would never do were it the last hour of my life! Jonathan Edward (old Bible Study quote from you) God knew I need to be reminded to the things you said. Thank you for your honesty!!
http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2006/12/27/the-duties-of-parents-by-jc-ryle/
love, Jordan
I'm reading with you starting tonight. Thanks for the invite!
Thanks for sharing your day. This is hard work, but so worth it when we remember why we do it.
ps. you can toss those bananas into the freezer and use them whenever that free moment comes next :)
Blessings