"Evan Almighty"

Hello my girlies,

Today was, well... an interesting day. I wanted to share my journal entry with you as it was one of those times when God helped me in the midst of my writing.

"Oh my goodness , what a day. I feel so yucky. I was so disappointed about the way the girls behaved today. Mostly because I feel that it is a reflection of me, but somehow that isn't sitting right with me. They are not put here on earth to make me look good, they were put here to do something for God. It is not their job to cross all their T's and dot all their I's so that I can pat myself on the back and show them off as little projects or pieces of artwork that I have created. If they don't like someone because of their age then that should be a signal to me that I need to teach them about loving others and about not judging. If they are aggressive and out of control then it should be a sign to me that I need to show them how to exercise self control and teach them how to use their words. This morning I woke up and prayed that I wanted to be a better mom and I foolishly thought it would be all rainbows and butterflies but the events of today has reminded me of a scene from the movie "Evan Almighty" when Evan's wife is talking to the waiter (who is actually God) in the diner. God says "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?" I did several things right today, I listened to what happened for all sides, and then I disciplined the girls but then I started to get upset about how this made me look and I lost perspective. Then instead of turning to God, I turned to my husband hoping he would stroke my ego & tell me I was a good parent and most of the time the girls are a great reflection of the great mom I am. But when he was equally as upset as me I felt even worse. It wasn't until I started to quiet myself before the Lord that I began to realize that they aren't my school projects to be ooo'd and ahhhh'd over, they are my children, whom God has given to me to train and teach. Their behavior is merely a gauge for me to know what areas we are doing good in and what areas we need to spend more time on. When I can fully realize that I will no longer find myself angry and upset about their behavior but rather determined to to allocate more time teaching and training them in those areas. God is GOOD! and by golly He answered my prayer and helped me become a better mom today!"

One day you girls may have kids of your own, and there will be days that you feel completely and totally unqualified for the job of raising those kids. Sometimes it not easy and we all wonder what the heck we are doing some days, but even when you blow it you can brush yourself off and try again! Mommy loves you! XOXO