Skip to main content

To Be Honest

I'm aware the phrase "to be honest" (or TBH as teenagers refer to it as) is floating around on facebook. I don't know how or where it started, but a lot of our youth are using the phrase to send each other messages about whatever topic, speaking honestly.? I didn't realize I needed a disclaimer placed in front of whatever I feel like sharing to others...I'm a pretty bluntly honest person. At any rate, I'm about to get brutally honest. This is not fun to admit, but I feel like the greatest lesson learned may be in being able to help someone else.


Today started out rough for me. (Big deal, you might say) I don't know why, and I don't know how, but I wasn't myself this morning (or I HOPE that's not myself). Because my day started rough, I made my family's day start rough. I woke up like normal, headed to the kitchen to make Olivia's breakfast and pack her lunch while she got dressed. When she came down, she sat at our counter to eat her breakfast, but when I passed her a cup of milk she grabbed it in a way that knocked the cup out of my hand, and it spilled all over the counter (and everything on the counter-guess that's a reason to keep your counter tops clutter-free). I snapped and got on to her (just minutes before she left with Scott to school). I was cranky as I got her coat and boots on and sent them on their way. Not a minute after they left did I feel AWFUL.


Many moms know what it's like to be stressed, or even just irritated by the littlest things; especially in the morning and especially if you have school-aged children. Right away, I knew it was time to go do my daily reading and prayer with God. I mentioned in a recent post how I'm doing the Daniel fast for 21 days. Fruits, vegetables, and water. That's it.  I immediately turned to the book of Daniel where I had left off reading the other night and came upon a verse that just struck me. Daniel 9:9 says, "But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him." WOW! Where those comforting words to hear. By this time I was swimming in guilt about sending my precious daughter off to school upset and irritated by her. To me, my job as a mother is to help everyone in my household start their days off happily, joyfully, and by helping them; NOT hurting them. This morning was a very clear reminder to me that I often struggle in that area, and that I need God NOW to help me correct it.


I immediately prayed for God's forgiveness, and then got a tweet from Pastor Brian Houston that said, "My prayer for you today is that you will find resolve in a challenging situation. God bless." OK, God, you've got my attention. Right away, I sent a text to Scott saying I was sorry how short-tempered I was and how frustrated I got with Olivia. I am seriously married to the most forgiving man I know. I love him so much for that because Lord knows, I need forgiveness!


This little incident probably doesn't seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but it was to me. I felt like I was standing back and watching myself and how I interact with my family, the people I love most on this earth, and how much-too-often I struggle with everyday kindness. I'm not a "mean" person, but I can always show more grace, forgiveness, and gentleness to my family. A lot of times we treat those we love and who are the closest to us the worst just because it's easy. God has definitely spoken up to me about this issue today, and I pray my words may be able to help you or someone you know. 


Here's a picture of my beautiful princess and me. God surely showed me GRACE when He brought her to me!




Galatians 5:22-23 NLT "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce the kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Surprise Birthday Weekend!

Many of you know that I received the BEST surprise this past Friday on my birthday. My mom and husband worked together for weeks planning a surprise trip to Canada. Not only was I surprised, but Olivia and Judah were surprised too! It was the best 4 days I've had in forever. Here's how it went down. Friday, like any other day, I dropped Olivia off at school, and went out to run some errands. Later that afternoon I took Judah with me to the grocery store, and when I got home Scott was already home. He had a few meetings during the day, so I asked him to come home early, so I wasn't surprised to see his car in the garage. However, when I walked into our house he almost ran into me coming out. He seemed shocked to see me, and then had this suspicious look on his face. I didn't think too much of it, and just walked into the house. I was carrying Judah though, and when he got far enough into our laundry room where he could see around the corner, he starting leaning out of...
1 comment
Read more

The Gift of Solitude

I received a phone call this afternoon from my husband. He called to inform me of an appointment I have this Saturday morning. An appointment HE set up for ME. He called to tell me that he scheduled a relaxation massage for me, and following that a manicure. Um..ladies?! Is that not one of the best surprises ever? We're getting down to the final days before we leave for the Southern U.S. for Christmas, and I have a TON to do. Between list-making, cleaning, laundry (which he's done ALL of), and packing, I really have no time to be unmotivated. However, here I am. Procrastinating. I'm the world's best!  Scott knows how stressful the last couple of days before a trip can be for me. So, he decided to make sure to schedule me some time of solitude. I get a spa day, and he takes the kids for the day. THE. BEST. All you moms out there, you know what the gift of solitude is like for you. HEAVEN. It doesn't have to be a spa day, or shopping day, or anything like that at a...
Post a Comment
Read more

What's Your Confession?

This morning I was scrolling through Facebook...OK, I'm guilty...but an article caught my eye, and though I did not read it, God instantly spoke to me. The article was something about college students dropping out because of their social anxiety. I immediately related..."Maybe I have social anxiety," I thought. My mind went to all the times when I've felt awkward, uncomfortable, and even anxious in a crowd setting. But just like that, it hit me. I felt the Lord say to me, "Of all the things I call you in my Word, anxious , is not one of them." Loved. Chosen. Saved. Child of God. Not once does the Lord call us or label us with those words we have somehow, almost lovingly, welcomed and accepted as a banner for our identity. In fact, all through the Bible He tells us not to fear, be courageous, and be anxious for nothing. My mind raced through all the times, some even recently, that I felt like I was somehow being brave in sharing open-heartedly and trans...
Post a Comment
Read more