Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Goodbye Attitude!

Rolling eyes, growls, screaming, tossing things...attitude, everywhere!  That is what I have been seeing from my children A LOT lately! Even worse is the attitude it creates in Matt and I, toward each other and the children!! It never ceases to amaze me that when something like a bad attitude begins, it soon takes over everything in full force!!!  I shouldn't be surprised, that is the devil and that is how he works, he is a master at confusion, frustration and attitude!

I am stuck on how to cure us of this problem, except to keep praying and filling us all up with scripture!

I have read a lot of parenting help books (really a lot!!!) and while a lot of them have some good advice, they fail to address the problem, the true problem, which isn't the behavior, but rather the heart, our sinful nature!

Some friends of Matt and I's recommended we read yet another book...my first thought was great!, not another book, with the same worn out advice, that does not work for our family.  But then I thought about how our friends kids behave, and honestly, I would have read any amount of books they would recommend if it meant my kids would behave and have respect like their kids.

So, I borrowed the book and began reading and guess what, it wasn't the same as all the others.  In fact it really is not like any other book written by man/woman/specialist!  The only book that it is like is the one and only book we should all live by, the Bible, inspired by God!

So, what book you ask? "Shepherding a Child's Heart"by Tedd Tripp. How did it work for us?  Great, when we were following the advice and seeking God in our parenting/shepherding.  So, what happened? Well, we fell back into the yelling, screaming, anger stage of parenting, that most of us find ourselves in, because we are trying to parent and rule over our children, in order to make our lives more convenient and make our kids do what we want!

So, I am going to start re-reading the book, and re-learning how to use the only parenting book we all need in life, the Bible.  If you are a parent who is struggling with how to shepherd your children, I invite you to follow along as I write Shepherding posts, and learn along with me and work to be the best parent I can be.  I will also be recommending other resources that I found helpful in this journey, so stay tuned!

If you want to keep up on the Shepherding posts, you can subscribe to my blog and get updates when I post.  If you are following along, please leave comments and let me know if you have questions, or want to add to the learning,  For those who are following and commenting, I plan on having a giveaway of some of the resources, and possibly the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and it's companion parent's handbook.  So stay tuned....

From the back cover of the book..."Shepherding a Child's Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flows from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way, "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."(NIV) Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life."

Tomorrow I will begin in Chapter 1: Getting to the Heart of Behavior. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Today, think about your attitude as a parent and person, is it showing what is in your heart?  Do you need God's help to guard your heart and change your attitude and how you treat yourself, your spouse, your kids, and others?  Meditate on that...I know I need to and I am ready for God to help me squash the devil and the work he is trying to accomplish in my family, he will not prevail!  See you tomorrow!!

1 comment:

  1. Parenting is the most difficult job in the world .................and there is only one parenting manual...........God's word. Lord knows I was not the best parent.....it is a long and difficult learning process. I am so thankful we get a second chance with our grandchildren. MOM

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