A Lesson in Discipline

I am loving having all the kids home, and trying to just "take it easy" these couple days before Christmas. But as in every family you have those days that are just "off". We had one of those days on Sunday. Not to dwell on their behavior... but I wanted to share a quick summary of the incident. The kids were with me in church because we had no children's church on Sunday. Z had to leave for work near the end of the service, which threw my kiddos into a whirlwind. I was out numbered with 2 young kids in church. About 5 minuter after Z left, E got away from me and ran toward the back door where his Daddy had gone, and S trying to be helpful slipped out the other side of the row to go get her brother. Talk about a hairy moment. I felt like everyone was watching me and to see how I was going to handle the situation. I, on the other hand had no idea what to do. I finally caught E's eye and gave him the look. (praying that he would come back because I had no plan B) Long story short he did respond and I was able to take him out the side door, and Sydney followed behind us. Embarrassed, humiliated, disappointed barely describe how I felt. I left church cried all the way home, feeling completely defeated. It always seems we have these incidences at church with the kids. I know my kids are still young and these are only the first of many issues to come, but I never knew how hard it would be to deal with. My heart is broken when my kids choose not to mind. It hurts me to the very core. Especially when they are repeat offenders, choosing to break the same rules over and over. S and E both had to miss a birthday party Sunday afternoon because of their behavior at church. They were devastated with the punishment, and I felt the same way. It upset me so much to have to make them miss the party, but I had to show them, that this behavior was not acceptable. If I cannot make my kids stay with me in a public place, we are not safe to go anywhere.

My outlook on Sunday was pretty crummy and Satan tried to use this to make me feel defeated. But God had other plans, as I thought back on the incident, I thought about Christ, and how my disobedience must make Him feel. Oh how His heart must want me to obey, so I can avoid the disappointing consequence of sin. How I break His heart when I choose to disobey Him over and over, especially when I am a repeat offender, struggling with the same sins over and over. But just like we love our children, and want the best for them, despite their disobedience. Christ whose love is perfect loves us even in our sins, even in our repeat sins. If my heart breaks when my children disobey, how much more must my disobedience break the heart of my heavenly Father who loves me with a perfect love? Thank you Father that you love me that much!!! Isn't is amazing that God can use anything and everything to teach us about His heart. Even my kids acting crazy in church!!!!