How is the 14 Day Challenge Going for You?

I can say, like GB's Mom, that my children have benefited from this challenge. I have as well, but I haven't been able to go many days without emitting something negative. Sometimes in the heat of things- and there's been a ton of heat - I forget and I just tell them what I think of their foolishness. Yesterday was one of those times. I do believe it is possible, but it might take me a few years!! lol. I'll stick with it, though. The Lord has promised to help me.


I received more comments than usual yesterday.  I appreciate the encouragement. As, for Jason's comment, we know God doesn't think about us the way I think or we would have all been zapped out of existence long ago. I actually went back and read something I wrote out last year about how God deals with us in our stupidity and it was convicting to me. This was principles I found in the book The Desire of Ages chapter 1.

~It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love.

         - The law of self-renouncing love is the law of life.

         - That love "seeks not her own" .

         - It is the glory of our God to give.

         - Even the angels of glory find their joy in giving, - giving love and;
             tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy.

SIN originated in . . .

   self-seeking.

Lucifer was                                         Take note .....

   - desiring to be first                        {Me First Attitude}

   -  trying to gain CONTROL             {Control Issues}

   -  deceitful                                       {Lying}

   -  rebellious                                     {Rebellion}

BUT

The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government;

He desires only the service of love,

and love cannot be commanded; 

it cannot be won by force or authority.

~ ONLY by LOVE is love awakened.

To know God is to love Him.

The high and holy God became our servant. This was voluntary sacrifice. 

Or, as we like to say, Voluntary redemptive suffering.

~ Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves.
       
If you think it through, it's a lesson in parenting.

How should I deal with the sins reflective of Satan's character:

Me First attitude
Control Issues
Lying
and Rebellion?

The same way God, our Father, deals with mine. Not with force, but with self-sacrificing LOVE.
Not with what I deserve, but what He deserves.

I understand, it's not that consequences and discipline are out the door - on the contrary; We love our children so much we are compelled to allow them to suffer from the small, safe consequences that teach valuable lessons when they spurn the kindly admonition of their loving parents, but that's another study for another day.

So today is a new day. I'm ready to face the battles again. James came into our room early complaining of a tummy ache. He's vomited his water a half dozen times, but is eating breakfast no problem.???  So far he has not been obstinate.

Missy wants to go to school today for pt,ot and speech and she's trying to be congenial to that end.  She pulled a new one on me. "But Mom, I DID do my poop!!!! I did my big poop.............................yesterday." Oh, man, what does she think I am?  lol. We all had a good chuckle on that one. She also came upstairs turned on James' light and told him he had to get up and get up now! Now she's telling him he can't have a tortilla but she can. Sorry kiddo. If he can't have one, than neither can you because, in my long reality escape yesterday,  I  decided she's going too far with this and I have come up with a plan that may seem contrary to the principles I just pasted above and so I'm still thinking it through...however, it just might get her attention to understand what she is doing. Whatever she tells James to do or not do, or tattles on him, etc... those very words she uses will be applied to her.  She doesn't tattle for fear of him getting hurt, etc... she tattles only to cause him trouble. She bosses him to no end in an effort to stir up the pot. He for the most part ignores it, thankfully. (So, No tortillas for you this morning, kiddo, this be the result of your own doing. In the time it took to write this last sentence she told him him that she was FIRST. Oooops. Sorry, that makes you last.)

I decided one more thing in my hiatus; I prayed about it and this is what came to mind. For the obvious manipulative games we endure I am going to give them grace and turn a deaf ear. (Easier said than done - might have to give myself a sticker for each one hahah!!). I am going to, out loud, think of ways to help someone else in an effort to turn their minds away from themselves. "Mrs. VonBergens' horse died yesterday and she's feeling so very sad, I'm going to send her a pretty card."  "Mrs. Stewart is  sick in bed, I think I'll pick her some tomatoes. You know how much she loves tomatoes!"  "I wonder how Mr. Matthews is doing since his surgery. Let's see, where's his phone number, I'll call him." "Vanessa has worked so hard to get ready for that chemistry test, I 'm going to bake an apple pie." etc... We'll let you know how that pans out. You would think I would say, "Why don't you send Mrs. VonBergen a card", but for now I am going to see if they don't think of it themselves when I state what I am going to do and ask if they can also.  The other thing is, the manipulation comes when they are suppose to be doing something already and don't want to.