Gentleness

Being a parent is a tough job.  I have shared many times with friends how my dear mentor shared with me before marrying David to be prepared for all of my sin to rise to the top and be visible in ways I had never seen before.  Well parenthood takes that to a whole new level.  Being a mom has been very revealing of areas in my heart that desperately need transforming.  One of those areas is anger and impatience.  I always aspire to be a mom who speaks words of life and encouragement in our home but let me be real honest and say that there are days when I feel pressed in from all sides and have been pushed to my breaking point.  Those are the days that my responses to repeated corrections move from gentleness to outbursts of a hot temper.  I have struggled feeling like a failure as a mom and worried over the many counseling sessions Caroline will need when she is older.  In those times I have been reminded of my need of my Savior's grace.  I have had to repent and humbly seek Caroline's forgiveness. 

I share all of this with you because I am very excited about a new challenge for 2012 that Courtney from Women Living Well is launching.   
 
I will definitely be embarking on this.  I hope if any of you have also been in my shoes that you will follow this challenge as well and find some encouragement and hope. 

And I will leave you with some verses that have been posted on my fridge lately for my meditation throughout the day.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

A gentle tongue is a tree of life.  Proverbs 15:4a

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29