So, I have four children. Four beautiful, talented, brilliant little people live in my house and call me Mama. They are also terribly flawed and full of inconsistencies and bad attitudes at times. It kinda goes something like this:
I say, “Get in the bath.”
He ignores me and rolls around on the ground like a dog.
Then I say, “OK, sweetie. I asked you to get in the bath and you didn’t. You will not be able to listen to Narnia tonight when Daddy reads it everybody to else.”
Then I hear all about how unfair it is. How someone else took the toy out of the bath he wanted and he couldn’t possibly get in without it. How he is so tired, and can’t believe his brother ruined Narnia for him, and so on and so forth.
It’s not always the bath. Sometimes it’s eating vegetables, sometimes it’s cleaning up, sometimes it’s something else. You were raised on earth, so I am sure you get the point.
Have I told you before how I hate confrontation? Have I mentioned that I dislike emotions in myself or those around me that are in any way negative? Have you ever met, been or had a mother? From the moment you bring a baby home your entire job is to deal with their unhappiness and unmet needs and expectations. It’s like you are the winner of the most complicated puzzle ever made. “Congratulations! You now must untangle the biggest knot of confusing screams and emotions ever known to mankind. Enjoy your child!!!”
But you know, it almost always gets worse before it gets better. Human beings seem to need a push in order to want to choose to do what’s right. We are comfortable with our rough edges and certainly don’t look to be made uncomfortable unless forced. It’s bad when my children fight over a toy. The only way to deal with that selfishness is to take the toy away from both of them. I make it worse so that it can get better. They need to see that selfishness makes them uncomfortable so that they will want to work it out. Otherwise, blood will probably be spilled over who gets the new bouncy ball.
Today one of the boys asked me what a Christian was. I told him a Christian was someone who loves God and others more than himself, who tries in every way possible to live like Christ, and whose heart’s mission is to change and grow when faced with his own lack therein. I realized afterward that I had set the bar very high for myself in their lives. But I am glad, because I want them to see me live that way, and I want them to know they can too.
Love this! I sent it to my sister…who is also a fan! –Marcie
Thanks, Marcie!!!
I try to remember that uncomfortable is very often a good thing…even though, at times, I too would prefer to roll around on the floor like a dog and insist someone else has made it impossible for me to do what I've been ask to do…
Pastor Brett had me speak a bit at church on the topic of missions at church one Sunday awhile back and I don't easily recall everything I said, I think I mostly rambled and cried, but I know that I know that in preparing for that the Holy Spirit impressed so gently but definitely on my heart the reality that if it isn't uncomfortable…something probably isn't right. Taking up a cross everyday will never be comfortable, learned maybe, understood more but always uncomfortable in this flesh…and that I do recall getting out.
Love your blog Carrie, and love you.
…and agreed you can NEVER have too many marshmallows on homemade hot chocolate…especially love when they melt and make one very large marshmallow topper/insulator
Joanna, you are wonderful! I can't wait to see the places you will go. Can you bring me back a baby if it isn't too difficult? 🙂