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Loving Our Kids Through the Tough Times

loving our kids Every mom has experienced seasons in her life when it feels extra challenging to show patience or kindness to our kids- especially when they’ve really been trying our nerves.   Let’s face it- although children are a blessing straight from Heaven, kids are far from perfect angels and can really do some things to initiate our impatient, selfish attitudes.  This is when we need that extra dose of help in loving our kids through those tough times.

So, how do we overcome those temptations to cave in to impatience or unkindness toward our children?

I was thinking of this over the weeks as Valentine’s Day approaches, and considering what it truly means to “love one another” as God’s Word commands us to.

Love is patient.

In Corinthians, scripture states that “love is patient”. When I think of my many impatient moments I’ve had with my kids I know that I can do a lot better.

I think we’ve all been there a few times.

This particular definition of love reminds us of the importance of maintaining an attitude of staying grounded. We don’t get emotionally ruffled or moved by the things our kids do which might tick us off. Instead, we learn to maintain peace.

The only way I know to maintain peace during a heated situation with our children is to practice the art of the “breathe in, breathe out, give it 10 seconds” – a rule I made up to keep me from speaking too quickly, too sharply, too soon.

I also have learned that a well-oiled machine runs better, and when my soul is well-oiled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (from spending time with Him each day-preferably morning), my behavior completely reflects it.  Situations that would normally cause me to act out of character are so much easier to handle because of God’s help.

Love is kind.

Our Lord is kind. Because He is kind we want to extend this same kindness to our children as best we can.

The best way to show kindness is to learn to quickly forgive and forget. When our children misbehave, we should correct the situation, but quickly move back into a spirit of love and enjoyment of our children.

Kindness means forgiving the wrongs of others quickly. “Love covers a multitude of offenses”– 1 Peter 4:8.

Love endures all things.

As our children grow older, opportunity for offense will happen in more sophisticated ways and will oftentimes feel more hurtful. When they’re young, a stubborn “No!” causes us parents to swiftly step in and correct them.   We usually forget about the situation within a few moments. But there is nothing as hurtful as rejection from our tweens, teens, and young adults.  I once heard a friend say “When they’re young, a rotten attitude looks pretty bad. But there’s nothing uglier than teenage rebellion”.

We moms and dads do our best to raise our children in the best possible way we know how, but ultimately our children have to make their own choices.  It’s definitely a sad day if they choose to reject their family.

One thing about love is that “love endures all things“.

Never give up on your children.   You can not only endure it, but you can pray your kids through it. There is hope as long as there is a praying mama involved.

Love never fails.

Last , but not least, if you keep yourself groudned on the solid rock of God’s Word, resting on the promises of Jesus, then you will have the love you need to get you and your kids through any situation you’ll ever encounter.

Love never fails.

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3 Comments

  1. This was great to read after a long weekend. Last year we studied the love chapter verse by verse. I think we’ll do it again this year. Thanks for reminding me!

  2. I need to remember to keep praying for my children and that no matter what they do I can love them through it. I really needed this. I have a 12 year who can be rather difficult at times and the 6 and 3 year old can sure give us a run too.
    This is so helpful and I needed it.

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