WHEW!!! I can't believe it's been over a week since I've posted. Last week was just one of those weeks that I would fall out of bed and hit the ground running. Had to just keep my big girl panties on all week even though some of those days I felt like crying like my little girls did.

Fun times!! Lot's of moments I can use for "personal growth." It wore me out but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!! LOL

It's amazing at how I can view my relationship with my girls kind of like my relationship with God.... I'm in absolutely NO way comparing myself to God. I'm only comparing the authoritative role. I sometimes wonder how God is so patient. He has so many people to "set straight" and I only have my two little ones and the furry child too and I think I'm going to blow a gasket at times. It just amazes me!!  I feel so frustrated and out of control at times and then I realize I'm trying to get it all done in my own strength or that my priorities are TOTALLY out of whack!! I mean trying to do a blog post is totally more important than feeding my children right? (Ohh, I'm kidding, I'm kidding)

But seriously- how is it that God allows me to mess up multiple times (as in a million PLUS some) and still calmly persuades me to listen and be obedient.... but here my kids don't listen the first time and I'm ready to jerk them up and take TV away for a year!! Where's my gentleness and grace as a parent? Don't get me wrong- our kids need to listen. They need to understand how important obedience, boundaries and consequences are cause those things are all throughout life.... but how many times has it taken God to get through to my heart? How many years did it take Him by gently calling me and continuously loving me for me to fall back down at His feet and lay my life down for Him to use? Well, let's just say it was a long time and I never felt God's wrath but rather a gentle tug at my heart to choose what was best. His purpose and not my own.

Oh how I forget.

Gentleness. That's what I need to carry out. Patience is what I need to show. Love and Grace is what I need to flow instead of anger and frustration.

Anger and lack of self control will get me no where. Here's a few scriptures I reference A LOT! I fail miserably but thankfully God is there to help me succeed!

Psalm 145:8 "The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." 

How awesome!! He's ABOUNDING in steadfast love!!

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh words stirs up anger." Boy oh boy do I know this first hand! I remember when I was younger and anger only angered me and I see the same thing transpire in rages of fury with my little one. My anger only causes her anger to grow.

But we are to lean on God and His strength to get us through these times. I rely on my own strength more than I would like to admit. I'm so thankful I serve a God who doesn't allow His love to depend on my failures or strengths. He loves me no matter my failures and struggles and insecurities!!!

He loves us!!  What an amazing truth to comprehend!!

I hope you understand how much you are loved too!!