July 13, 2011

  • Disciplining Myself (Parenting with Purpose)

    Last Wednesday's parenting focus was keeping our children close.  I am really focusing on my children as we go about our day.  Paying attention to their attitudes and how they interact with each other.  What comes to light when I really notice these things, is my attitude and how I interact with others.  So this week's parenting with purpose focus is disciplining ourselves. 

    "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5

    We are all created with emotions.  It is not wrong to have emotions.  For instance, when we are moved to compassion to help another or when we grieve the loss of a loved one.  Its the excessive emotions that get us in trouble.  We can see it most clearly when a child throws a tantrum to get their way or hits another child.  We have to learn and teach our children to manage emotions in a way that is pleasing to God. 

    "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." Colossians 3:8

    "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken."  Proverbs 15:13

    "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

    "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5

    As I was pondering on this post my children were watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie.  Mrs. Oleson and Nellie are infamous for their tantrums.  It is comical to watch the fits they throw.  They are unkind and unloving to their friends and neighbors and still time again the friends and neighbors show kindness to them.  We all have "Mrs. Oleson's and Nellie's" in our lives but it is my prayer that I nor my children are a "Mrs. Oleson or a Nellie". 

    "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 

    Let's choose to discipline ourselves in our emotions by having right and good thoughts.  Not being easily offended.  Putting others ahead of ourselves.  Checking our emotions against God's word and choosing to act out of obedience to him.  Let's teach our children by our example and through correction. 

    momtoon2