Tuesday, February 22, 2011

No. I won't. Nope. Uh-uh. Noooooooo!

Request denied is the status quo these days. The tantrums are louder and even in public now - talk about humiliating. The whimpers and whines have replaced "big kid voices" and it's making Chris and I want to beat our heads against the wall. And isn't it funny how this works? These unpleasant seasons always last longer and cut deeper when God has a bigger lesson that he's been trying to teach me while I was too busy trying to get some naughty little toddlers to listen to me.

So the lesson this time? As often as I hear my kids say no, I am telling God the same thing. It was so loud and clear one day that it had me laughing out loud. I was asking the kids to wear some cute, coordinating outfits that I'd picked out for them that day and they absolutely would not put them on. They were throwing themselves on the floor in full tantrum mode. They were not having it and I wasn't either. I was so tired of fighting over every. little. thing. I flipped into my 'freak out mommy' mode and yelled, "Listen to me! You need to obey me when I ask you to do something, do you hear me?" It was like God spoke right into my ear and said, "Exactly." It instantly made me start laughing at how hypocritical I was being. I expected, without fail , for our kids to listen and obey us yet I can't do that even half of the time with God. In an instant I felt the tiniest bit of what He must feel when I constantly deny His nudges. I'm too busy, too tired, too comforted by something else to just follow some simple things He is asking me to do.

These days I'm trying harder to say yes more and as I do, I have more energy, more patience, more yes's from my four little teachers. I can't tell you how much better I feel when I stop fighting Him over every. little. thing.

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck." Proverbs 1:7-9

We're ALL growing up so fast!!

Noah Sporting His New Helmet

Noah & Sophia - Best Buds Lately

Finn & Cohen Show Some Brotherly Love


Sophia - Our Little Goofball

Washing Jaz - So Doggone Fun! (For Them)


Cohen Taking Daddies Longboard For A Spin


Finn Showing His Excitement Over the New Helmets!

The Two Musketeers (Noah & Sophia) Going for A Ride







12 comments:

Suzanne said...

omg mare! SOOOOOOO true. man, i so needed to hear that. i love you so much.

the kids are freaking huge! and sophia hair is SOOOO long and beautiful! LOVE it.

need to come play with you guys again in h-town this summer!

love you

Anonymous said...

OMG - what a wonderful post - I really needed to hear that....I don't have young kids anymore who don't listen to me, but can't my hubby understand that saying yes to me, my way of doing things, when, how, etc....makes thigs so much easier!!! And, now I can put myself in God's place with me!!!

I can't wait to come play with the kiddos.....they are getting so big even within the last couple of weeks!!!

Love to all and THANKs again Mari for your vulnerability and always sharing your wisdom - yes, it is wisdom. Love Debbie

Alaine said...

It has been tooooo... long since I last saw you all. They look so grown up. Mari, I loved your insight - we certainly all need to remember to "grow in our wisdom of the Lord". Love to all of you, Alaine

Kami Lambe said...

Awesome post! The kids are gorgeous and SO big! love you.

Anonymous said...

The kiddos are so cute! LOVE Sophia's beautiful hair!
Heather

Shannon said...

They are growing up and so adorable. Miss you! Great post.

Charity Donovan said...

Great post! Love it! Thanks for the reminder! The kiddos are getting so big! They are just as adorable as ever! That little Cohen has my heart...he reminds me so much of Nolan & Evan! =)

e-com said...

Hi! I came across your blog by hopping from page to page, and I love it! This post really spoke to me tonight as I sit here in tears wondering how I can survive another day of battling with my three year old daughter. I found myself yelling the same thing to her that you did to your children. I feel totally defeated. Your post makes total sense, and you are right. I desperately need to follow the path He has laid out for me. :) Thank you so much for sharing!

e-com said...

I meant to add this to my previous comment, but our blog is funwiththecomerfords.blogspot.com if you ever want to check it out. ;)

Anonymous said...

Beautifully said! I'm glad you wrote this. I needed the reminder today for sure. Thank you!

-Holly in California

Shannon said...

It's amazing how they have grown... I would love to see an update! :)

kristen said...

mari,
i am trying to find out the name of the vacation home you found for the moms to stay in during your mom-cation in 2010 overlooking lake travis. could you email me? kdrieman@yahoo.com