I truly never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth; “I don’t want to be an angry mom.” I’ve never struggled with anger before.
I want happy moments like these all the time:
Who was I kidding? To think that just because I have never struggled with something like anger in the past, it would not show up on my heart’s stoop one day, unannounced?
So when you think you are standing firm, TAKE HEED. Never think that you are above any sin. I surly did… in a round about way. We are all susceptible to any sin.
That is why it is so very important, dear Mom, to be in the Word of God daily. To have your sins confessed. To be washed in the Word. To be clean and white and pure.
It got me thinking… maybe parenthood and the struggles we face just bring out what is deep within our own sinful hearts. All the crud that is way at the bottom… it comes rising to the surface.
As I swim in Seneca lake on those warm Summer nights, I often see all the seaweed rising to the surface. It floats to the top and collects in one heaping pile of thick gooey yuckiness on shore.
It is a good thing when our sin comes rising to the surface! It is not always pretty, but as the seaweed rises onto the shore of your heart, confess it and get rid of the mess (1 John 1:9). God promises to wash our hearts white as snow!
I am going to read and pray over Psalm 51 every morning. We may not all have sins like adultery or fornication to confess of, like David… but sin is all the same in God’s eyes.
If our heart is darkened by the sin of pride, anger, jealousy, hatred… it is just as bad as murder.
Verses 6 and 7 really hit me:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
When God’s power is living and vibrant in our lives, there will be no room for seaweed to collect (at least as much). It will be like the rushing Niagara Falls! I couldn’t help but feel God’s mighty power standing next to this!
Let our hearts be clean, dear sisters! Let God make yours whiter than snow today. Confess and repent of your sin. Be made new. We are made to walk in the freedom Christ promised us!
Thanks for visiting!
Kristy K says
Traci – I just have to say, you have the BEST hair! I love it!
Thanks for the great post today. I am guilty of being an angry mom sometimes and I don’t like it. My moods are directly affected by how much time I spend in the word, how often I exercise and if I’m getting enough sleep.
Rebecca says
I needed this! The last few days have been tough for me and ive been lashing out at the kids and then regretting it immediatly. Thanks for the great post.
Home's Where My Heart Is says
Thank you, Traci, I needed this, too. I am with Kristy, if I don’t make time for God, watch out. I am nothing without him. Time to get out the “liquid plummer” for my heart.
Thank you for your ministry..
:)Erin
Kathryn says
Thanks for being honest! I think we all struggle with things we never thought we would have at one time or another. That’s why it’s good to not ever think that we would never do something, because it is then that God brings us to our knees and we realize we are all sinners just the same!
Amber says
Thank you!!! I have thought a lot about my heart the last few days. What is in it???? A lot of ugly and a lot of beauty. Oh how I want to be cleansed of the ugly, although it may be difficult.
Parenting is def. cleansing me!!!!
I am excited for you to join me on Friday.
Annesta says
It’s so true. Anger can bubble up and spill over when we least expect it! You are very wise to admonish us to confess and have our heart right with God and those we love so dear.
grace to you
~a
Karen says
Oh, I could SO relate to this post. I never struggled with anger before. In fact, I would have considered myself a peacemaker. But, now as the mom to 4 little boys I find myself angry & easily irritated a lot. And, I don’t like this part of me. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Myrtle says
Traci, thanks for the reminder. Unlike you my anger has been a struggle for me. I am still trying to deal with this- it is a very ugly unattractive thing! Thanks for sharing.