Children and Grace

Well, it has been another busy day with our six children. I got a bit stressed today, and it seemed it was one thing after another. I mean, I even had to bust out my chocolate stash. (Don't you have one of those?) It was the straw that broke the camel's back when I had just told (re-reminded) the children not to throw things in the house, when *SMACK* a flying dishrag got intercepted from its intended target - by my forehead.

When the dust had settled a few minutes later, I was able to sit down and collect my thoughts. The Mother's Topical Bible did not have anything under "Yelling" or "Losing Your Cool", but I did find this in my good old KJV:

Charity suffereth long, and is kind...Doth not behave itself unseemly...is not easily provoked...Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth." (from I Corinthians 13)

Ouch, ouch, and OUCH! I do love my children very much, but if I get provoked to yell in anger, I am not showing it.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31,32)

Thank God that He offers us forgiveness through His Son Jesus! As believers who benefit from this amazing grace, we must take this grace and spread it generously upon those around us. It is unseemly to be stingy with what has been graciously and richly bestowed.

I know I displease my Father at times, and I am so glad He doesn't blow up at me! (I bet He doesn't even need a chocolate stash.)

Lord, I want to learn to love my children the way You love Yours! Make me more like You.