Archer rushes so quickly into anger sometimes that I have no idea where it comes from - its like a bolt of lightening that flashes out of the sky with no warning and sets the house on fire. Partly this is the nature of childhood - he's a kid, he's overly dramatic. But I have to wonder if I've been a good example in this regard. Do I actually stop and count to ten before losing my cool? Not as often as I should. And here is the problem, the reason why I don't count to ten and the thing I should really try to remember. When I come home from work all I want is some down time. I'm tired and I've used up all my patience at work. So when I get home, I don't have any more patience, energy, whatever to give to my kids. And right at that moment is when they demand the most of me. They hang on me, cry at me, demand attention and food and you name it. See the problem with this picture? I have an attitude of limited patience and attention. There is no reason why I should think my patience is all used up, or my attention, or my love. Don't these things fall into the category of "the more you give the more you receive"? I'm so focused on myself when I get home that I forget that my kids haven't been anywhere all day. Of course they want my attention, there are a very limited number of people in their daily lives and they want to hear from them. Of course they want to go for a walk, they don't get to leave the house every day like I do.If I would just stop and think for a second, I'd remember why they need me and why I shouldn't be unhappy when they come to me with those needs. If I was quick to listen, I'd hear what they're trying to say, what they've been waiting all day to tell me. So this is the verse that's going on my refrigerator door to remind me to slow down, remind me that I don't need to speak first, remind me that its just important (sometimes MORE important) that I hear them as that they hear me.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. ~ James 1:19-20
1 comment:
Perfect verse. It should be one of the key rules of life, learned early and applied everywhere and in all things we do. Our children learn this rule the same way they learn everything else... by example.
P.S. Of course it is occasionally acceptable to break this rule when, after tons of patience, some person in customer service in India is trying to rip you off.
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