It was near the end of Mass and we were singing "Loving and Forgiving". The line that struck me was,
"Loving and forgiving are you Oh Lord, slow to anger, rich in kindness, loving and forgiving are you."
I thought about my actions lately with my kids. I have been quick to anger, rich in temper, complaining and griping way too much! Oh, I have all sorts of excuses, stress, not feeling well, stress, fighting littles, PMS, whiny kids, oh yeah, and stress. I tell my kids all the time, "We can't control what happens to us for the most part, but we can control how we react." Do as I say, not as I do! I really needed that reminder this morning.
I guess I thought as we had more children, I would become more patient and loving. I'm sad to say, I think I've failed to learn those virtues! It's not that the Good Lord hasn't given me ample opportunity!
I want to be that happy family in our Christmas pictures...I really do!
I have a dream...maybe a lofty one...but nonetheless...a dream. I want to become a saint, maybe not a great one, I'd be happy to be the one that has to camp outside of the gates of heaven and live in a tent...as long as I'm in the general vicinity. I also wish my whole family and all my friends...and oh heck, all of humanity to become saints.
Proverbs 23:18 tells us,"Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off."
...And so,with this hope, once again, I will try....
Part of the success is just making the effort to get back up and try again, Debi. The Lord doesn't take our difficulties, our tendencies to vice, away. If He did, we'd think way too highly of ourselves and have no reason to rely on Him. So while that's not an excuse for sin or bad behavior, it (to me) is a comfort to know that all He asks is for me to try. And then try again. And then when I screw up again, turn around, face Him, and continue on.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, friend.
Ditto Monica!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you Debi! I think I am just about as moody as my toddler. One minute I am happy and smiling but it just takes on screaming child or squabble or a disobedient act to tip me the other way. I feel God is MUCH more patient than I am...yet like Monica said, the trick to becoming a saint is to realize my shortcomings and let God forgive me and try try try again. :) I'll pray for you, please pray for me too!