Have you ever had someone judge you or a decision you have made and you know they did so without having pertinent facts? Have you ever had someone hold you to a standard higher than they hold themselves to–and be quick to point out your inability to meet that standard? These kinds of things can frustrate me to the point of anger sometimes. (I’m not proud of it–but it’s the truth!) Read more »
Do you ever feel like you are having one of those days? Earlier this week, I had one and I’m just getting over it. My mother found the following and sent it to me. I guess she wanted me to realize I had company on these days! I’ve added one to the end of the list that gives a glimpse of this day so far.
What would you add to the list?
Murphy’s Laws for Parents
The tennis shoes you must replace today will go on sale next week.
Leak proof thermoses will.
The chances of a piece of bread falling with the grape jelly side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
The garbage truck will be two doors past your house when the argument over whose day it is to take out the trash ends.
The shirt your child must wear today will be the only one that needs to be washed or mended.
Gym clothes left at school in lockers mildew at a faster rate than other clothing.
The item your child lost, and must have for school within the next ten seconds, will be found in the last place you look.
Sick children recover miraculously when the pediatrician enters the treatment room.
Refrigerated items, used daily, will gravitate toward the back of the refrigerator.
The busiest day of your week is the one your child will pick to leave the lunch box in the car.
How are you doing with this exercise I introduced a few weeks ago? Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t been consistent or haven’t even started. You can start today. Pray these biblical virtues for your kids and wait on the Lord to show you amazing things!
A servant’s heart–God, help my children develop a servant’s heart. Teach them to serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving You and not men. (Ephesians 6:7)
Peace-loving–Lord, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace. (Romans 14:19)
A Heart for Missions–Lord, please help my children develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Psalm 96:3)
Warning: I am about to hop up onto a soapbox for a little bit. Stop reading now if you don’t want to be sloshed with the suds!
This morning as I was leaving the elementary school parking lot, I saw something that made me want to scream! A mother had parked her car off to the side (in a spot not to be used as parking–another blog on another day) and was helping her daughter adjust her skirt before they walked to the school entrance. This is a good thing, right? WRONG!!!
She was helping her daughter adjust it to be shorter than the girl wanted it. I watched as the mother repeatedly adjusted the skirt to be as short as the “fingertip rule” would allow. The little girl pulled it down repeatedly to a more comfortable (and more modest) length, only to be fussed at and corrected. It was hard to watch.
It reminded me of another time when while shopping with my youngest daughter. We witnessed a mother correct her little girl (not more than 6 or 7 years of age) who had pulled her shirt down farther than her mother wanted her to.
“Sweetie, your tummy doesn’t show when you pull it down like that. It’s cuter this way,” she said as she shimmied the shirt up the little torso a bit–and actually folded it under a bit to ensure a bare belly.
This kind of thinking and teaching is wrong on several levels! Girls need to be taught modesty, and how to be in style within the bounds of modesty. I know some moms of boys who would appreciate more of that teaching! Can I get an AMEN?
Here are a few more biblical virtues to pray for your children–regardless of how old they are!
Gratitude–Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7
Contentment–Lord, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through You who gives them strength. Philippians 4:12,13
Passion for God–Lord, please instill in my children a soul that follows you; one that clings passionately to you. Psalm 63:8
