Dealing With a Flaw

   Greetings!  I am about to embark on my 10th year of homeschooling.  Savannah is going to be in the 9th grade this year.  She only has four years left and then off on her own adventure.  I pray that as this year goes by that I will equip her well.  I am a bit of a tenderhearted person, so I have to say this makes me a little sad.  Man!  I just didn't think about that until just now -- I mean, I did think of it back when she was tiny, like 6 months old.  The song, "Butterfly Kisses," came on the radio.  I literally began to weep.  The years were truly going to fly -- and they have!
  Anyway, what I want to talk to you about today is something that some people don't want to admit that they have a problem with.  For some it is more serious with drug and alcohol abuse, while others it is with food and body image.  While I haven't had the issue with drugs and alcohol abuse, I have dealt with food and body image, BUT I am on a good path with this.  No, the area I want to admit to is angry reactions.
  Some years back I realized that it had become a problem.  It really, truly was my own lack of self-control.  Ouch!  That hurts to admit.  I recognized that I needed the Lord's help. When this got my attention, I took it to the Lord at the altar.  I confessed this area to my Pastor, his wife, my parents and some close friends.  They prayed for me, and I learned that I wasn't alone in this area.
  I am pleased to say that since then I have not had the intense rage that I once experienced. The Lord healed me in this area.  However, I still felt rather unequipped for the task of parenting in grace rather than in rage.  It just so happened that I got to meet a lady and sit in on her seminar at last year's Great Homeschool Conventions.  Her name is Wendy Speake. Check her out at her site - http://wendyspeake.com/.  Anyway, she and a friend wrote this book called Triggers.  Here is a picture of their book:
Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses
I have just begun reading this and already can tell the Lord is going to use this in a mighty way. Read just a few things that are from this book by Wendy Speake and Amber Lia.  I give total credit to them as this is from their book.  These are their words that have spoken to me.  I will indicate where I found these quotes.

Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions For Gentle Biblical Responses (1)

"Getting from under the anger when things didn't go the way I wanted them to was an act of God...actually, it's an ongoing act of God in my life, even today.  (2) 
"But don't be deceived:  this book is not just for moms of little ones.  It's for all moms who are ready for a change, ready to replace angry reactions with gentle biblical responses that have the power to work miracles in the hearts of their children." (2)

"Let yourself imagine a home where your words set a tone of loving-kindness.  A home where your first reaction is compassion instead of annoyance.  Where you replace the fiery cycle of anger and guilt with conviction and spiritual growth.  A place where you draw the hearts of your children towards grace and where every one of you thrives."  (3)  
  Wow!  I don't know about you, but this little tiny bit already convicts me.  I think that I am going to see a real transition in my Christian walk.  I know that it is going to take time and commitment, but it is like any other change.  Weight doesn't get gained overnight.  Attitudes are the same.  I don't know exactly where you are in your walk with Christ or if you are even on a walk with Him -- I hope so!  I feel like this is something that the Lord wants me to share as I journey through my own transformation.  I shared about the fact that I am trying to become healthier.  So I am now adding another area of transparency.  I know that I am not alone in this area.  So as I read and study, I want to share things that stand out to me.  I may even begin some type of Bible study for our local people.
  I am really excited to see what the Lord is going to do as I journey on.  I am going to put one of my favorite songs here, "My Story."  Please know that I am praying for you as you are on your own journey with the Lord!!

Love, {{Hugs}}, and Blessings!
:0)Chandra


Notes
1  (cover)
2 (p. 11, 12 forward by Brooke McGlothlin)
(introduction, p. 17, Amber Lia)












Comments

  1. Wonderful thoughts! I have somehow missed your posts and will go read them now. Miss you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey! Glad you found them again! It is so good to hear from you :0)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;"

Nutella!