Problem Avoidance Part 1
Today has not been what I would call a "happy day" at the Billman home. Jim is in Minnesota. I'm home after a week working in DC/enjoying Jim and Caitlin's company on this trip.
For whatever reason, the children seemed to be bent on being as argumentative, unruly and overly rude today to me and each other as they possibly can. I called Jim twice to whine about their behavior but felt completely guilty doing so. Often I'm the one out of town and Jim is left to cope with them alone. (Let me just say as an aside, I am completely thankful for my husband. He is incredible.)
All I asked today was that the two older kids get their homework done and the little children stay out of their way. If that was accomplished we'd go to a movie. It lasted for all of a minute. After an hour or so of fighting, not working, and me trying like mad to keep my voice down, I decided it was time for plan B - getting out of the house even though the work wasn't done.
I asked everyone to get dressed. We were going to get Caitlin's glasses adjusted and get a late lunch. I pulled over twice before we even got to the highway because they just couldn't keep their hands off each other (to make things more difficult we're taking the small car rather than drive the van to save $$ on gas).
During our lunch, I asked for their help. I told them I wanted to avoid losing (or finding) my temper. They promised they would behave. They promised to get along. We got in the car and before we left the parking lot, one or two were screaming because someone had hit or scratched or something. It was going to be a long 15 minute trip home.
Thankfully when we got home, Jordan did as I asked and cut the grass and watered the lawn. As I sat on the couch, attempting to work a bit, the fighting resumed between "he pulled my hair" and "she threw that at me" and much, much more. How was I going to get through the evening? A phone call rescued me. A free meal and company with friends from church! Yeah!
Now, as I sit on the couch I've started my new book, "The Search for Significance." I am struck by a particular line - one that is a very fitting end to my day. Robert McGee writes, "As Christians, our fulfillment in this life depends not on our skills to avoid life's problems but our ability to apply God's specific solutions to those problems."
So, what are God's solution to unruly children? I suppose I need to pause for a moment and search the scriptures. Until that time, what scriptures do you have for me that will help me get through?
For whatever reason, the children seemed to be bent on being as argumentative, unruly and overly rude today to me and each other as they possibly can. I called Jim twice to whine about their behavior but felt completely guilty doing so. Often I'm the one out of town and Jim is left to cope with them alone. (Let me just say as an aside, I am completely thankful for my husband. He is incredible.)
All I asked today was that the two older kids get their homework done and the little children stay out of their way. If that was accomplished we'd go to a movie. It lasted for all of a minute. After an hour or so of fighting, not working, and me trying like mad to keep my voice down, I decided it was time for plan B - getting out of the house even though the work wasn't done.
I asked everyone to get dressed. We were going to get Caitlin's glasses adjusted and get a late lunch. I pulled over twice before we even got to the highway because they just couldn't keep their hands off each other (to make things more difficult we're taking the small car rather than drive the van to save $$ on gas).
During our lunch, I asked for their help. I told them I wanted to avoid losing (or finding) my temper. They promised they would behave. They promised to get along. We got in the car and before we left the parking lot, one or two were screaming because someone had hit or scratched or something. It was going to be a long 15 minute trip home.
Thankfully when we got home, Jordan did as I asked and cut the grass and watered the lawn. As I sat on the couch, attempting to work a bit, the fighting resumed between "he pulled my hair" and "she threw that at me" and much, much more. How was I going to get through the evening? A phone call rescued me. A free meal and company with friends from church! Yeah!
Now, as I sit on the couch I've started my new book, "The Search for Significance." I am struck by a particular line - one that is a very fitting end to my day. Robert McGee writes, "As Christians, our fulfillment in this life depends not on our skills to avoid life's problems but our ability to apply God's specific solutions to those problems."
So, what are God's solution to unruly children? I suppose I need to pause for a moment and search the scriptures. Until that time, what scriptures do you have for me that will help me get through?
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