:: eye rolling
:: sighing
:: rebellious tendencies
:: stubbornness
:: a prideful need to express her “will”
:: disobedient
:: angry
The things I see in my dear three-year-old daughter, lately.
Why can’t she just be obedient? Obey the first time? Be nice to her brother? Not open 1/2 the presents under her grandparent’s tree (yes, this happened, today!)?
We are so quick to point out all the wonderful things that our children do. We all do it. It’s okay.
But then I remembered; that, like our children. . . I am a work in progress. That she is a little mirror of myself!
The charming, cute, brag-able habits AND the sinful, ugly ones too!
So, pray with your kids. Teach them. Guide them. Train and discipline them.
But ask the Lord to sprinkle it with LOADS of God-Given- Grace & Patience.
For, after all, isn’t our Heavenly Father long suffering and patient with you and I?
Thanks for visiting!
I so needed to read this! My 2 y/o is in a screaming phase and I have about pulled out all my hair! I need to give him a little grace just like God gives me!
I wrote something A LOT more wordy than this a while back! So convicting that something doesn’t hit us as UGLY until it is a mirror of our own behavior! OUCH! We are all works in progress and praying to ‘grow up’ into the image of our creator! Great reminder in the hussle and bustle of the season! God Bless!
Theresa
All so true!
What a sweet face! 🙂
Amen to that!
Love how you keep it all real…..and I, on the other hand, need way more than a sprinkle (of God’s grace and patience) alot of times!!! More like a big scoop!
I remember all too well the struggles I went through with my girls when they turned 3. That was the magic year for torturing me…everything was a power struggle and I didn’t handle it very well. I should have been medicated! Seriously I remember going to the ER with chest pain and panic like attacks with my last one.
So having moved past all that I can say with some experience they outgrow it and my girls are golden now! That is until the teenage years:o Good luck:)
Ah yes, being a parent sure teaches you about yourself, doesn’t it? I remember lots of prayers for patience!!!
It’s amazing how badly a two or three year old wants their own way and they have no trouble letting you know it, lol!
But having come out on the other side (our kids are now 21 and 16) I am so thankful that we stayed the course and tried to be consistent with the discipline as best we could.
There were times that I despaired that my kids would never outgrow a stage or a behavior, but they did!
Amen! I remember those days when my children were younger and the teachable moments were always popping up everywhere. Thank God for grace in all of its forms and through every season!