I impatiently asked my three-year-old to
BE PATIENT
a few days ago. I don’t need to explain the situation. It had something to do with velcro tennis shoes and getting out the door to preschool and with both her and her sister asking for multiple things at the same time. Well:
BE PATIENT!
Because I am only one woman and I can only do five things at a time, not ten.
And I’m sure I said it a bit too harshly because they both reeled back as if the words themselves had smacked them in the face. I guess words have physical power of their own.
Later that day as I sat in a doctor’s office waiting for a doctor that was on the phone to another patient with only my phone and a 13 month old People magazine to keep me company (anyone want to know what Catherine Zeta Jones was wearing last year?), I remembered what I had snarled out to my daughters earlier that morning. Be patient.
Right.
I’m aware of my frailties as a mother, as a woman, as a Christ-follower. I’m aware that I’m often grumpy, impatient, cluttered and undisciplined.
So it’s not just patience.
It’s eating right and exercising. It’s keeping a calm and tidy bedroom. It’s living in moderation and taking care of my husband.
It’s all of it.
How can I fairly expect from my daughters what I’m not modeling to them. How can I ask them to clean their rooms if mine is full of unfolded laundry and piles of books?
So today I’m endeavoring to be patient at the very least and at the most, take my own advice.
What are you expecting from others that you don’t do yourself?
I expect others to rest when needed. To take care of their bodies and not push the limits. To not wear themselves down too much. Yet that is all I do. I push and pull myself in every direction. I let myself go because I would rather take care of everyone else and not myself. It is my way of ignoring my hurt.
Ha! It’s like yelling, “Be quiet!” I’m with ya.
i think about this often. its so easy for me to demand of others yet when it comes to myself……well, that’s another story!
i expect my son to not interrupt others, clean his room, read his bible, and be open minded and kind to others!
my husband to listen, encourage, support, help, and not say too much when i am wrong!
thanks for your thoughts.
I expect and wish that others would give grace and understanding. I expect that when things are hard for me that the people in my life will give me grace even if they don’t know the details of my whole situation.
But how often do I respond with total grace when i don’t know what’s going on with someone? Am I able to give grace Just Because God asks me too? Because I sure wish people would give it to me!
God has so been challenging me in this area the past months. With trying to point out to my kids that they have the fruit of the Spirit in them and are capable of displaying it-it has challenged me to do the same.
Our kids are in our lives, we are meant to train them up-little did I know that God would use the experience to train me up in a few areas(okay more than just a few).
The patience thing is my biggest challenge as well as functioning in a positive and respectful way when I’m overly tired. I get those grumpies just like my son does, so I have to check myself and make sure i’m showing him a good example before I get on to him for being ugly to us because he’s tired.
I tell my oldest to slow down, be patient and listen the first time. These are the three things I am the greatest violator of myself.
However, there is grace to be found in the failure. I am learning and so is she.
[...] Taking My Own Advice by Sarah Markley [...]
SO true! Wow, I needed that powerful reminder today. My children are looking to me 1st to learn how to be patient, generous, and wise in making choices. I need to eat healthy, exercise, and get plenty of rest for myself and my kids.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for being real and for giving me something to really think about…(and hopefully change). I know the Lord is using you. I will be praying for you & your hubby as you share this weekend.
Love-Oly
Thank you for sharing this post. It is something that I struggle with as a mom. How can I expect my children to know what the fruits of the Spirit are if I am not modeling them to them. You post has kicked me in the butt and encouraged me all at the same time.
I found your blog through Lisa Leanord’s. Glad I found you! I’ll follow along!