One day last week my kids and I were all in the kitchen listening to some fun worship music.  I was making lunch, trying to finish some laundry and feeling extra accomplished, but for some reason my kids were needing some extra attention. At one point, both of them were pulling on me at the same time saying,  “mom...mom...mom...mom...mom...” over and over and louder and louder. I got agitated and said “What do you want?!” Even though how they were acting was wrong...I immediately felt disappointed in myself because I didn’t respond gently in that moment. I’ve been working on being more patient with my kids for a while and felt I didn’t do that. 

In the corner of my eye I saw the bathroom door and I ran in as fast as I could to have a moment with God…I said to God, “Please help!” As I stood there facing the wall, He told me that coming to Him was the key to being more loving. He told me that when I felt myself losing patience to take a second to talk to Him and that He would tell me practically what to do next. Even if it meant just turning my head to the wall or finding a quick place to hide. LOL

He reminded me of a scripture: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV

I know that the goal is to be gentle, humble, patient and loving, but I realized I needed the practical help to do it. The very next day, I was faced with this similar moment again with my kids. This time I only had seconds to turn away and I whispered “God help me”.  I felt God told me to do 2 things: correct their behavior first and then focus on hearing their need.

The first time this had happened I heard their need but I didn’t correct their behavior and I should have. Proverbs‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭says, “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” The same way God lovingly corrected me...was the same thing I needed to do with my kids to respond in love. 

I got down on their level and told them it’s not okay to get my attention by yelling at me and if they did that again they were going to sit in their room for 5 minutes. Then I let them share what they needed and I was lovingly able to meet their need. 

So here’s our challenge for this week:

When our husbands, friends, roommates or children are needing a little extra love and attention and we are feeling ourselves starting to get agitated by it...let’s take a second to ask for God’s help to respond in LOVE!

Here’s a few things I did that you can also try... 

1. TALK TO GOD: turn to a wall or sneak away to the bathroom & say “God help!”

2. HUMBLE YOURSELF...if you already reacted poorly just say “I’m so sorry I reacted, will you please forgive me? 

3. RESPOND IN LOVE: Follow what God says to do. 

I’d love to hear how God has helped you to RESPOND with love.