A book titled "The Ministry of Motherhood" caught my attention online a few weeks ago. I was still pregnant with our now 6 week old and struggling with the attitude of my four year old when this title called out to me. I have to say I have never internalized that motherhood is a ministry, not purposefully at least, so I began searching for this book and had it special ordered.
I now have it and have begun reading it and will probably blog about it quite regularly. The big gist of the book is to intentionally disciple your children using the example that Christ set for us with His disciples.
So... you know that battle you have when your four year old decides she really doesn't want to nap, but you know that she still needs it, not only for her to finish her day well, but for you to finish her day well...
well... let's just say I've been nursing my fair share of battle scars from our on going war and I found myself after nap time harping on her about the struggle she gave me before she fell asleep. She would awake from her nap and come downstairs to the following:
"You know I'm very disappointed that you didn't lay down and take your nap like a big girl."
or
"Mommy really doesn't like that I had to get on to you to get you to take your nap." (and by "get on to" I mean spank)
Now, with my NEW outlook of ministering my children like Jesus would, one of my favorite scriptures was thrown in my face as a great starting point, it's the one I named this blog after.
The scripture comes from Lamentations chapter 3 and it states that the "Lord's compassion's never fail. They are NEW every morning." I love waking up every morning knowing that I have a fresh day to try again and here I am not giving that to my daughter. I am so the servant not forgiving the small debt when I've been forgiven of so much more. If I am going to disciple her and teach her about the Love of Jesus through my parenting I need to offer to her the same mercy and compassion that Our Heavenly Father extends to me every time I begin again.
When she woke up from nap today I greeted her with a smile and a hug and the compassion that was graciously given to me.
I now have it and have begun reading it and will probably blog about it quite regularly. The big gist of the book is to intentionally disciple your children using the example that Christ set for us with His disciples.
So... you know that battle you have when your four year old decides she really doesn't want to nap, but you know that she still needs it, not only for her to finish her day well, but for you to finish her day well...
well... let's just say I've been nursing my fair share of battle scars from our on going war and I found myself after nap time harping on her about the struggle she gave me before she fell asleep. She would awake from her nap and come downstairs to the following:
"You know I'm very disappointed that you didn't lay down and take your nap like a big girl."
or
"Mommy really doesn't like that I had to get on to you to get you to take your nap." (and by "get on to" I mean spank)
Now, with my NEW outlook of ministering my children like Jesus would, one of my favorite scriptures was thrown in my face as a great starting point, it's the one I named this blog after.
The scripture comes from Lamentations chapter 3 and it states that the "Lord's compassion's never fail. They are NEW every morning." I love waking up every morning knowing that I have a fresh day to try again and here I am not giving that to my daughter. I am so the servant not forgiving the small debt when I've been forgiven of so much more. If I am going to disciple her and teach her about the Love of Jesus through my parenting I need to offer to her the same mercy and compassion that Our Heavenly Father extends to me every time I begin again.
When she woke up from nap today I greeted her with a smile and a hug and the compassion that was graciously given to me.
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