"In this way they (older women) will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children ..."
Recently, God allowed an older woman at church to live out this verse for my benefit and it has been HUGE in helping me to discipline Sophie. Let me explain.
Several weeks ago, I was talking with an amazing older lady at church named Ms. Susie. Ms. Susie just so happens to be Sophie's Sunday School teacher, and in our high and mighty opinion, the BEST Sunday School teacher in the whole world.
Anyway, Ms. Susie was asking me about how Sophie was doing (at school, etc.) and I proceeded to launch into a mini-tirade about how my daughter was driving me crazy (I love that line) by not listening and obeying. I can only imagine God looking down from heaven and thinking, "Poor child. Maybe she needs a little encouragement today," and blessing me with wisdom through Ms. Susie. Here's what she said: you have to discipline them IMMEDIATELY. Not later. Not when Daddy comes home. Not when you feel like it. NOW. Even if it means pulling the car over off of the road, you do it pronto. So, being at my wit's end and with nothing to lose, I tried it. And thank you, Jesus, it worked!
I never thought I would have a problem disciplining my child, but it's WAY harder than I thought. For one thing, I don't like it. I don't like being the bad guy, but since I don't want Sophie to be referred to as "Damien" behind her back, I guess I'll keep at it. #2: It stinks. It involves tears, sometimes spankings, and losing privileges, and I would prefer to keep things stable. I know. Not going to happen. And #3. Who enjoys punishing their beautiful, sweet, child? Not me. But since I'm pretty sure there is a verse in the Bible about sparing the rod, spoiling the child, I'll keep on keeping on.
Well, it has been about 6 weeks, and things are soooo much better at home. Don't get me wrong. I still have a head-strong 5-year old who only wants her way (who doesn't?), but the fact is now she LISTENS to what I'm saying and OBEYS. Some days are better than others, but considering where we were at the beginning of the year, these past several weeks have been P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S. I am enjoying spending time with Sophie more because I'm not having to be on her all the time, and I am actually looking forward to Spring Break next week when she will be home (last year, I dreaded it and couldn't wait for the week to be over).
The moral of this story is LISTEN to your elders. They may just know what they are talking about and Jesus may be setting you up for a WOO HOO moment and you don't even know it. Yet...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
I'm so grateful...
- for the grace of God.
- that when God looks at me, He doesn't see a divorced person, but His child.
- that He has forgiven me of my sins.
- that if I were the only person on this earth, Jesus would have still died for me. And I BELIEVE that.
- that I don't have to answer to man for my failings.
- that God is such a BIG God that He still wants to use me to minister to His people.
- that God can use anyone, anytime, anywhere in whatever way He sees fit.
- "The Lord is my Light and Salvation. Whom shall I fear?"
- That God loves me enough that He has had to bring me to my knees in order to reveal my sinful heart. Dear Jesus, I pray that others will not have to go through what I did in order for You to get their attention.
- that my hope is in the Lord.
- that I'm in such a different and BETTER place in my walk with the Lord than I was even 5 years ago.
- for REAL people and relationships. (Hypocrites need not apply.)
- second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances from God...to infinity.
- to be a child of God and that He calls me His daughter.
- that I don't have to be perfect.
- that I KNOW I am not capable of making right decisions without the Lord's help.
- for the chance God has given me to make mistakes, and that out of those bad decisions, I have come to know how much I NEED God.
- that I'm not in control.
- that God is able.
- it's all about Him - not me.
- that no situation is hopeless.
- for the gift of faith.
- that God is longsuffering.
- that I KNOW and UNDERSTAND grace. Dear Jesus, please help me to be quick to GIVE grace.
- I have an opportunity to teach Sophie what I know about God.
- that He loves M-E.
- that I serve an AWESOME God. Not for what He can do for me but because of who He is.
- this place is not my home.
- that when God looks at me, He doesn't see a divorced person, but His child.
- that He has forgiven me of my sins.
- that if I were the only person on this earth, Jesus would have still died for me. And I BELIEVE that.
- that I don't have to answer to man for my failings.
- that God is such a BIG God that He still wants to use me to minister to His people.
- that God can use anyone, anytime, anywhere in whatever way He sees fit.
- "The Lord is my Light and Salvation. Whom shall I fear?"
- That God loves me enough that He has had to bring me to my knees in order to reveal my sinful heart. Dear Jesus, I pray that others will not have to go through what I did in order for You to get their attention.
- that my hope is in the Lord.
- that I'm in such a different and BETTER place in my walk with the Lord than I was even 5 years ago.
- for REAL people and relationships. (Hypocrites need not apply.)
- second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances from God...to infinity.
- to be a child of God and that He calls me His daughter.
- that I don't have to be perfect.
- that I KNOW I am not capable of making right decisions without the Lord's help.
- for the chance God has given me to make mistakes, and that out of those bad decisions, I have come to know how much I NEED God.
- that I'm not in control.
- that God is able.
- it's all about Him - not me.
- that no situation is hopeless.
- for the gift of faith.
- that God is longsuffering.
- that I KNOW and UNDERSTAND grace. Dear Jesus, please help me to be quick to GIVE grace.
- I have an opportunity to teach Sophie what I know about God.
- that He loves M-E.
- that I serve an AWESOME God. Not for what He can do for me but because of who He is.
- this place is not my home.
Friday, March 20, 2009
I got a new book
I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it!
Okay, people. I know there are very few of my friends that will understand why I wanted The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Mafia, but trust me. It looks AWESOME! I can't explain my fascination with La Cosa Nostra, it's just there. Some people read romance books to escape, I read about the mob. And now I have a book that explains the history and families involved in this crazy life.
I'll let you know how it is. You know you can't wait.
Del Grosso
Del Taco has opened a new restaurant (if you want to call it that) not far from where I live, and I was so excited! I haven't eaten at a DT since I lived in Spring, Texas which was over 20 years ago. I have been talking about going for weeks and tonight, Brian and I tried it.
When I walked in, I had a sudden flashback of not liking their food, but pushed it to the back of my mind and ordered the Macho Nachos. Oh my goodness, it was so gross! The cheese, beans and steak were lukewarm, and it had no flavor whatsoever. I guess I subconsciously wanted to eat there because it made me think of high school. Why I would try to relive those memories, I have no idea.
Brian did enjoy his burrito, but it came with french fries - what's up with that?!?
Anyway, I told Brian he never had to worry about eating at Del Taco again. We can cross it off of our list like Zaxby's. I don't like that place either.
Eat at your own risk...
Random Thoughts...
I haven't blogged in a while, so here are a few things have have been going on in our family....
- Sophie is continuing her swim lessons at the YMCA and LOVING IT! I wasn't thrilled when my parents gave this to her as a birthday present, but shows what I know. She is having a blast!
- Church drama, church drama, church drama. I came really close earlier in the week to writing my personal feelings on my blog like regular people, but talked myself out of it (not my style). I will say God have mercy on our souls!
- Sophie and I went to the library on Tuesday for story time and it was fabulous! I love that my daughter was the big girl in the room who sat still, paid attention, and followed directions. My heart went out to three other mothers whose kids were just being kids. Bonus points: Sophie can reach the sink in the bathroom to wash her hands. WOO HOO! It was a good day!
- Jack, our Pirate Puppy, is doing great! He is now 13 weeks old, and weighs 2 lbs, 12 oz. Other than the house training thing, he rocks! Sophie loves him a little toooo much.
- I just learned the words to "Beat It" by Michael Jackson last week by watching American Idol. I always thought it said, "No one wants to beat it, feel it." Um, no. The CORRECT words are "No one wants to be defeated." Oh well. Brian just shook his head when I told him.
- God has continued to bless Brian with side jobs after getting laid off from the cabinet shop. Thank you, Lord, for Your provision!
- Have you heard about the actress, Natasha Richardson, passing away from injuries related to a ski accident? It makes me sad. I really liked her. God bless her family.
- I had TWO (count 'em TWO) Girl's Night Outs last weekend - one on Friday night and one on Saturday night. It was so nice! I really enjoyed this time with friends even though I didn't get a thing done around my house. I'm still paying for it.
That's all for now. Later.
- Sophie is continuing her swim lessons at the YMCA and LOVING IT! I wasn't thrilled when my parents gave this to her as a birthday present, but shows what I know. She is having a blast!
- Church drama, church drama, church drama. I came really close earlier in the week to writing my personal feelings on my blog like regular people, but talked myself out of it (not my style). I will say God have mercy on our souls!
- Sophie and I went to the library on Tuesday for story time and it was fabulous! I love that my daughter was the big girl in the room who sat still, paid attention, and followed directions. My heart went out to three other mothers whose kids were just being kids. Bonus points: Sophie can reach the sink in the bathroom to wash her hands. WOO HOO! It was a good day!
- Jack, our Pirate Puppy, is doing great! He is now 13 weeks old, and weighs 2 lbs, 12 oz. Other than the house training thing, he rocks! Sophie loves him a little toooo much.
- I just learned the words to "Beat It" by Michael Jackson last week by watching American Idol. I always thought it said, "No one wants to beat it, feel it." Um, no. The CORRECT words are "No one wants to be defeated." Oh well. Brian just shook his head when I told him.
- God has continued to bless Brian with side jobs after getting laid off from the cabinet shop. Thank you, Lord, for Your provision!
- Have you heard about the actress, Natasha Richardson, passing away from injuries related to a ski accident? It makes me sad. I really liked her. God bless her family.
- I had TWO (count 'em TWO) Girl's Night Outs last weekend - one on Friday night and one on Saturday night. It was so nice! I really enjoyed this time with friends even though I didn't get a thing done around my house. I'm still paying for it.
That's all for now. Later.
The Hiding Place - Corrie ten Boom
We are reading this book for our Ladies Bible Study at church, and I think everyone is really enjoying it. It is a wonderful book about an AMAZING family with AMAZING faith! If you haven't read it, you have to N-O-W! Words can't even describe how GREAT this book is! Loved it!
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