I have 5 precious children. (Plus extras sometimes.)
I love them more than my life.
(Thus, the name of my blog.)
God loves them more.
He is the perfect Father.
Yet, He still has disobedient children.
My point: How can I expect to have “perfect”-behaved children all the time?
I can’t.
You can’t.
No one can.
Well, God did have one perfect child.
Can you imagine being His younger brother?
Mary: “James, why can’t you be like more like Jesus?”
However,
I have found something that works for us,
for arguing without listening to the other ones point of view, back-talking, fussing and fighting with siblings.
Other than the “lectures” that we ALWAYS give them,
you know the ones…
A. Love your brother more than thyself.
B. Would you like to be treated that way?
C. How did THAT show the Love of God to him or her?
D. How can you do better next time?
E. Have you asked for forgiveness?
etc..etc…etc…
If they still continue,
Then we go to the WEEDS!
Let me just say – my kids have spurts.
They can go a month or two without a squabble.
Then all of a sudden…
BAM!
(I will say it is most likely when they are out of work to do or they are just looking for mischief.)
Either way – they get to PULL WEEDS!
We live in a place that ALWAYS has WEEDS!
Weeds have certain attributes just like sin…
They come up quickly – just like arguing.
They choke out the roots of the beautiful produce – just like fighting.
They produce more weeds – just like sin.
Every time they pull a weed – I hope it reminds them of sin, even uncovered sin in their life.
And then I pray they will deal with it.
Sin that is allowed to breed – eventually will breed more sin – just like a wildfire.
Sometimes, flowers get pulled up with the weeds.
It is okay – it shows them sin has many consequences.
Let me just say – I (the parent) have to do some weeding in my life time to time (I feel like it is daily, most days).
I’m still not a perfect daughter, wife, mother or friend.
I still make many mistakes.
I detest weeds.
So, if you notice weeds in my flower gardens – my kids have been good.
If you noticed it cleaned up – well, my kids have been learning about the consequences of sin.
Blessings to you! You are loved!
(This Works for Me – thus far.)
Great idea! You could read the parable of the sower while they pull. 🙂 Lisa~
That is a great idea. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone out there, fighting the weeds, to be reminded of the own weeds in my life. Thanks for the inspiration! Do you talk to them about what the weeds represent?
~I always think of this when I’m weeding too! I often think of how some come up – roots and all – with a little tug; others …. boy, you have to dig deep, and even then, the best you can hope for is getting the ‘seen’ part out. there’s always some root left in there, ready to grow again 🙁
Yep, loads of lessons in that weeding patch!
(btw – the first time I ever saw your blog, I thought the 5 was an S…. so ‘I love my Skids’ Gulp… Really?!?!
A x
One of the most favored places to be is in the garden – God designed everything with purpose. Even weeds. Thanking Him for the illustration of things unnecessary (sin) in our lives and the awareness of what needs to be pulled or thrown off with vengeance. May we all become more like Jesus as we desire His mind and heart and sometimes help others along the way.