Friday, August 8, 2008

Sshh- they're listening!

Ok, the title was really supposed to represent the fact that I think my Pastor has bugged my house because the prayer below was sent out in a mass e-mail this morning and yesterday was not a day where I was careful with my words:

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for this day and for the instruction you provide through your Word. Please help me to always have a soft answer to turn away wrath, not harsh words that stir up anger; help me to use knowledge rightly, not to speak foolishness. I pray that my tongue would build up others as a tree of life giving shade and shelter and never speak perverseness that would break the spirit. Let me always receive your instruction and correction with an ear to hear, a mind to accept, and a heart that is humble. (Based on Proverbs 15:1.) I thank you and offer this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.


But as I read the prayer over and over I started thinking that I shouldn't have focused on the fact that maybe someone outside of my house heard my words- but two certain people inside my house.

How can I possibly expect my children (both tweeners) to speak respectfully to each other and to me when I don't speak respectfully to them. It's all in the tone of voice I tell them- as I say the words in an extremely harsh tone of voice.

I don't want to be one of those "do as I say not as I do" parents! I want to be a Christlike example!

Pray for me will ya??!!

2 comments:

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Now there's the $64,000 question..How do you get the kids to do what you say without resorting to yelling to get them to respond.

Chip Ingram has a great session on this in his Effective Parenting class, but honestly? The whole first time obedience hasn't worked out so well for us. lol

Smelling Coffee said...

Great reminder... God is dealing with me in the same way. I'll have minutes of victory, then I'll fail... and repeat the pattern over and over again. I'll pray for you - and maybe you can pray for your readers.

I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for leaving a comment on mine.