What My Boys Teach Me About Getting Back on the Horse
It’s been a bit of a rough start to the week.
- The weather went from 50 degrees to below zero wind chills.
- There are birds living in our bathroom light upstairs.
- I somehow slept on my back wrong and have shooting pain that makes it difficult to move or inhale.
- The boys have been extra competitive/aggressive/argumentative.
Alexander’s Mom was right. There are days like these… even in Australia.
Last night I was parenting from the recliner. Frustrated by my pain; Exhausted with the refereeing. My patience was run too thin, and my flesh was winning over my self-control.
I raised my voice yelled on two occasions during the bedtime/clean-up shenanigans. I hate yelling.
Tucking them in I apologized for my anger and impatience with tears of regret in my eyes. And instead of them holding a grudge or paying me back in revenge, you know how they responded?
“That’s okay, Mama. You’re just not feeling good because your back hurts. We understand. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
GULP.
Count the losses. Do not return evil for evil. Ask for forgiveness. Seek humility. Resolve to do better.
Get back on the horse.
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3: 12-14
Oh these boys and the ways they teach me about love, forgiveness, perseverance, and understanding!
Perhaps, you’ve been “bucked off” your motherhood horse this week too. It’s hard not to roll in the dust of regret and defeat. Failure has its way of keeping us grounded, but don’t let it trample you. Allow the mistakes and the ugly spills to teach you forgiveness, perseverance, and how to better extend grace to others this week.
I am so sorry about your back. I have had that happen and it’s miserable – especially when you have little ones to care for.
I agree about failure, it keeps us humble and if reflected on correctly, can help us to be better people in the future. BUT, at the same time, we have to forgive ourselves for those failures (after asking for God’s forgiveness and the injured party, if there is one). Often time its the guilt/regret over them that holds us back mentally and emotionally.
Wise, wise words. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me with truth today, Amanda!
Oh this made me cry. Such sweet little men. What great husbands they will be! Fell better my friend. You are LOVED! Lisa~
Oh your encouragement is so good for my soul, Lisa. Thank you.
I’m not a mom, but I am a teacher! Teachers definitely have days like that. “Resolve to do better”… I may not have been a patient teacher today, or always used a kind tone of voice, or had the most organized and planned lessons… but the Lord is patient and gracious, and I can do better tomorrow! Thank you for your encouragement!
Love this!! God often speaks through the mouth of my two little boys …straight to my heart! Good job teaching them and showing that to them, mama! Beautiful!
Wow, what’s your secret for getting the boys to respond like that?!?! I need to learn it! 🙂 Hoping you feel better soon, friend.