“It must be hard raising kids…”

Thank you so much Lord for your timeliness. Often times I wonder what’s taking so long with what I want to have happen and when things like this happen, I am reminded of just WHO you are. You are the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. Isaiah 40:31“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Your timing is always right.

So what happened anyway?

What am I talking about? Let’s get to it!! Well, I explained it in this response (below) to this article that came up in my email on my phone just as I sat down, exasperated, after the day. The title got my attention. It said, “3 Things That Make You Lose Your Joy As a Mother” by The Character Corner. Check it out here! It’s a great article!! So much so, that I wrote a pretty lengthy comment. I wanted to share it on my blog as well as on her website. Check it out! https://thecharactercorner.com/a-joyful-mother-part-1/

Apdk india sad photo off flickr
This photo is by Apdk from Flickr.

 

These are my comments to the great article above copied for you here:

Thank you so much for this timely article. Well I see a comment was made a few years ago but as I just sat down from saying goodnight to my biological kids- to which my daughter said, “I see it must be hard to raise kids.” I said “really now? You “see” how hard it is?” And she says, “Yeah because you look so tired at night.” “Hmmm… I guess so. It HAS been a long day. Goodnight.” Today WAS a long day and your article reminded me that even though an hour and a half ago my foster child’s counselor was still here helping to work through tonight’s episode (Thank you Lord that it is not this bad that often!!) that my circumstances should not steal my joy. Afterall, this was the very cause as the traumatic meltdown tonight stemmed from him not being able to deal with the disappointment in not being given money for a supposed book fair at school tomorrow which no one knew about previously. When reminded that he had his own money to spend (which he didn’t want to spend) and told that he would not be given extra – well, that was the straw that ‘broke the camel’s back’ for him tonight. That issue may sound trivial but as an adult I’m pretty sure I can replace that with something else “more mature” … but I think this is really the same issue.  Allowing other people or circumstances you didn’t expect to dictate how you react and feel is not the way to go. Thank you, The Character Corner, for the timely reminder that I want to rely on the Lord. Jesus, who was the same despite all of the negativity and hatred in people towards Him and circumstances He endured, Jesus never stopped looking to His Father. He never changed His attitude. He was and is who I want to remember to imitate. When I am off track, or feeling like a throwing a pity party for myself- I am reminded by people like you who point back to the Lord of where my (our) focus should be. Hebrews 10:23-25.

 

Note to self…

In the morning, I need to hug my daughter and thank her for her empathetic comment towards me. That’s rare these days… Actually, if I was really honest with myself, I can add that expressing empathy towards my daughter is rare from me as well, if I think about it. Hmmm. God, I heard you. There you go gently reminding me again and I so thank you- yet again. What would I do without you?

20180605_223213
Found this gem while cleaning up today… Better cash this in while I can!

2 thoughts on ““It must be hard raising kids…”

  1. Man, what an eye opener, I have been lacking on those hugs, and on being thankful at the end of the day, regardless of the struggles. After all they all seem so minor the next day.

    1. Yes, thank you Elizabeth for reading and commenting! Great point these things seem so minor later. But it’s the little ways in which I respond that add up. I certainly don’t want to be remembered as that crabby mom. Yikes.

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