Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Talk softly...

"MOMMY!!!  I need a napkin!"

The noise I just heard clammer upstairs begins to register.  He spilled his milk.  The very last, eansy bit of (expensive) milk that I had been saving for his breakfast. 


I stop doing the laundry and climb the stairs in frustration. 

"What happened?  Why did you spill it?  How did you do it?  Were you messing around?"

Of course he was messing around!  He is a three-year-old boy!

As I spew out my litany of questions and kneel on the floor to mop up the mess, certain humbling and convicting thoughts begin to enter my mind.

Would Michelle Duggar get this upset over a little spilled milk?  Nope- she would talk softly.  Does it really matter that much?  At least it was in the kitchen and not on the carpet.  Change your tone.  He didn't mean to. 

But he woke up like a whirlwind!  Did someone sneak him a Redbull sometime in the middle of the night?  How can he have this much energy?!  Can't he just sit still for 5 minutes?!  He is already driving me crazy and he has only been awake for an hour!



Just calm down.  He is three!!  You are doing a Bible study on peace and contentment- prove it.

But I was going to do that study right now, while they were both being good and content for that precious half an hour I have every morning!  Now I may not even get a shower!

HEY!  Knock it off!!  Get it together!  This is no way to have peace in your house!!!  Be the example!  STOP and pray- right now!

Jesus?  
Give me patience today.  
Help me stay calm.  
Help me to not use an exclamation point at the end of every sentence (or word) today.  
Help me think of the good things.  
Thank you for my little boys.  
My vibrant, crazy, unique little boys.  
Help me see them as your gift and not my inconvenience.  
Help me to honor you in the way I care for them.  
Help me follow your plan for my day instead of mine.  
And most of all... 
give me GRACE!

Amen!

5 comments:

Terri said...

God bless you Mackenzie. You're an amazing Godly wife and mother. And I, for one, am glad to hear that you have rough days too like the rest of us.
And for what it's worth- I think 3 is the worst age. 4 is much nicer, you'll see.
Thank God for blogs and friends, eh?

Xazmin said...

Thanks. I needed this. I ALWAYS talk with an exclamation point at the end of my sentences! I need to be better.

Unknown said...

Amen :)
Michelle Duggar is a saint and a wonderful role model for all mothers. I often think of her soft voice when I am about to yell at my kiddos. Have you read "The Duggars: 20 and Counting"? Not only does she amazing patience but they have the best financial sense too.
I love your prayer.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh yes girlfriend! You know I feel it here too!

Unknown said...

I feel like that ALL THE TIME! My kids know exactly how to push my buttons. I know they don't mean to, but it can easily ruin my day if I let it. Michelle Duggar often enters my thoughts. I try and speak softer and yell less. She doesn't seem to be a yeller. ;-)