Good parents aren't supposed to have "biters"! Right?
However, each on of my children somehow manages to break the mold of all my preconceived notions of how I "expected" my children to behave!
I fear that Marleigh is making up for lost time, and steady at gaining ground in the sibling rivalry game!
NORMALLY, she is not that hard to please. A typical, go-with-the-flow third child! She was such a sweet baby, but once those feet hit the floor to walk, the terrorizing began! It was payback time for Bella and Nate! She knew enough about her world, in her own toddler knowledge, to know that she WOULD NOT be pushed around because of her small stature! It was honestly humorous at first, but then IT happened...
her teeth came in!
 |
| Nate got a kick out of Marleigh eating his name! |
Each time she felt demeaned or mistreated, IT WAS ON! She would take off after her suspect, and clamp down with her four little teeth on whatever flesh she could dig into!
Most of the time, poor Nate has been on the receiving end! Even in all of his rambunctiousness, he has never thought to feast on someone's flesh for meanness!
I'll never forget the first time it happened! My little man charged toward me with tears puddled at the base of his eyes. Mixed in between frantic, pain-derived screams, all he could get out of his mouth was, "Marleigh eat me!" Confused as I could be, I pulled back his hand from his opposite arm to see the broken skin with perfect indention of four little teeth!
Though I'd like to say that was the only time it happened, it would be a complete lie! She's left more marks, scratches, blood, and bruises behind as an example of the danger behind that cute little smile! So deceiving!We have been on a long stretch as of late though, so I'm really hoping we can put this whole "biting business" to rest!
As a parent, I just wish they would love each other! But from what I can see, this lesson in parenthood doesn't become any easier to teach with increasing age! I guess it's such a tackle as a parent, because you're not JUST teaching love; it goes hand in hand with teaching unselfishness! Boy, oh boy is that a hard one to model!Yet regardless of my model I've given each day, I just wonder if they will EVER GET IT? Will it ever just click one day? In wondering if they will ever GET IT, I have to point the finger at myself and wonder if I will ever GET IT either!
I wonder often how God feels this about us, his children? "Will they EVER catch on to this concept of brotherly love, the way I intended for them to? I've given them the ultimate imagery of love. When will it click?"
He used so much of the New Testament as His platform to teach this concept, yet we're so slow to catch on! We spend our days selfishly, and when someone happens to demean or mistreat us (even sometimes unintentionally), we "let them have it"! We dig in; breaking the skin, drawing blood, and leaving scars and bruises on those around us. Sadly, it's usually the ones closest to us! Our fellow Christians!
We've had the nickname "Christian" since the days of Paul, but what are we showing others (sinners) about the name we carry, when we tear each other to shreds, yet offer them a Savior who loves? Somewhere along the line, I've let selfishness creep in so much, that I've become more of a stumbling block and obstacle for my brothers/sisters, than a stepping stone! I pass judgements quickly on others, lose my patience and my joy, yet somehow fool myself into thinking I'm an example of my Heavenly Father, LOVE? (Romans 14:13)
It breaks my heart to acknowledge it at times, but we do a lot of "biting business" as Christians. Like Marleigh, we are deceiving others behind the "cuteness" of our church doors. We supposedly are the representation of the love of Christ to this earth, yet we spend more time "biting" one another that we have caused people to know more of what we are against, than what we are for! God, help us to GET IT! Help me to love like YOU! I want to have your heart for this world, and your hands to reach them! So let me first empty my arms of my own selfish desires, so they will be open to take your love to this world! I want to "love like crazy"!
Romans 12:9-13
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good. Be devoted to one
another in brotherly love.
another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal,
Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality."
Practice hospitality."
Take a listen to this (NEW) convicting song from Casting Crowns, then intentionally reach out to someone today IN LOVE!
Messy Monday Link Up
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Fellow bloggers may link up one of their favorite post from the previous week.
Monday's
are usually a dreaded day, but our goal is to share encouragement on
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Let's share from the abundance of our hearts and rejoice with one another.
If you do link up, be sure to check out some of the other linked blogs and show some love to fellow bloggers!
If you do link up, be sure to check out some of the other linked blogs and show some love to fellow bloggers!
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Oh, no! I don't why I am suddenly having so much trouble with Mr. Linky. It kept going all buggy. But little did I know it went ahead and posted me. So sorry :(. Please delete my extra faces?
ReplyDeleteLove this post, BTW. You are so right, how we hide behind our cutness, our piety, our moralism. Sometimes it does more harm than good. Kind of bites :).
Great post, Lindsay! God says it's so simple, if you love me, then love your brothers and sisters. Yet we focus more on all our differences and irritations. "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. Therefore, whenever you have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:9-10
ReplyDeleteLoving like God. My prayer and my desire. I wish all those who professed to be God's child would read this post and accept your challenge to love like our Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteTHIS... "We supposedly are the representation of the love of Christ to this earth, yet we spend more time "biting" one another that we have caused people to know more of what we are against, than what we are for!" is sadly so true! Amen, God help us get it! I have a third child too Lindsay and I know your joy and your pain :) They're the strong willed ones, aren't they?! I am often heard saying "Just love each other!" in my frustration. Great analogy, thank you for always encouraging me :) Blessings!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is, kids some how smash all our preconceived ideas about parenting. What I have discovered is that children are an expression of us but not mini replicas. They have their own heart, mind, will and emotions which we have the delight of shaping. Which means if we have to shape them then a great deal of sculpting and chiseling is going to be involved. So chip away I say :0 ... happy crafting :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lindsay! I've pondered this exact question myself more than a few times, and yet I catch myself doing things along those same veins... One of my most fervent prayers is for God to help guide me to truly live as Jesus lived, to love as He loved... Having the perfect example certainly sets the bar high, but it's an important journey for us to take all the same.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
Raising children is most certainly one of the hardest jobs in the world--and yet it is also one of the most rewarding. I am so thankful for God's faithful presence, equipping us to do what He calls us to do and guiding us when we don't have a clue. My husband and I found that the best tool in our parenting toolbox was consistency--which required discipline on our part. Your children will come around, Lindsay! They will "get it" and the warmth you feel the moment you witness it will be immeasurable.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Pam