It is strange but I do not remember bickering incessantly with my younger brothers. It was easy to live in peace. I was right; they were wrong. I don’t remember arguing the details with them. I bet they had different memories of a bossy older sister though.
Earlier this year, our 12 year old son (Mr D) was suddenly displaced from his only child, baby, last child status when our daughter and grandchildren (4 year old Miss M and 8 year old G-Man) moved in with us. Likewise, G-Man, accustomed to being the oldest child, big brother, bossy and always right was abruptly a middle child.
This shift in roles has caused plenty of conflict. Each of the boys feels they are right and that they must argue their point until everyone agrees with them.
It drives me nuts!
Raising children provides ample opportunity to demonstrate how to live in peace. I get to show them what the fruits of the Spirit look like in action. The fruits of the Spirit as listed in the Bible are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. We get to help them grow in their walk with Christ so they can live in peace and ultimately experience all the fruits of the Spirit.
And the bickering gives me ample opportunity to practice my patience; over and over and over again!
Lately, I’ve been feeling like a failure because after several months the kids are still struggling with bickering. So I found some comfort reading today’s Bible study. Notice it says, WORK AT living in peace. Obviously, God knows for us to live in peace it was going to be something that we continually strive for not a one time decision. What a relief for me! I didn’t fail because they didn’t learn to live in peace the first (or five hundredth) time we talked about it! Its a lifelong goal that we must practice daily.
So recharged, I start my day. Ready to roll model, discuss, pray about, color pictures, watch movies, teach lessons, and do our work with a theme of LIVE IN PEACE!