Turn Down the Volume

     Without a doubt, one of the toughest tasks of motherhood is keeping our cool when our children are out of line. How do we model patience and loving-kindness when they are pushing our buttons--hard?
     For being such adorable creatures, kids sure can inspire a surprising amount of anger in us, can't they? And that anger can occasionally (or maybe even often) be accompanied by yelling and saying things we wish we hadn't said. It never really helps the situation, does it? When we lose it, we lose sight of our intention to build our children up. We add pain and distance to an already difficult situation.

     Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29, NLT).

      How do you feel after you yell at your kids? How do they feel? The next time you feel that loud, angry voice bubbling up inside you, remember Ephesians 4:29. Ask the Spirit to give you words of encouragement or the strength to walk away until you feel more in control. And when the inevitable happens you lose it anyway, forgive yourself. Remember, his mercies are new every morning.