Have You Learned This Lesson Yet?

“I’m a terrible mom!” Do you ever say these words?

I do.

And I did that day… the day years ago when I was working in my office, minding my own business, when out of now where my son threw a paper airplane at the back of my head… on purpose.

Not one to normally welcome an air attack, I gritted my teeth, gave him the stern “mom voice,” and asked him to stop messing around. I told him I needed some private time so I could get some work done.

He agreed, and turned to leave.

Then he jumped around and threw the paper airplane at me again!

Let me tell you, my grace-o-meter was reading pretty low at this point. I barked like an angry dog. “What in the world do you think you are doing? I just told you that I needed to be left alone so I can get some work done! Stop it, Preston!”

“But mom, there’s a message on the plane,” he tenderly replied. “Read it.”

As I unfolded the orange, construction paper airplane, I saw this message written in pink marker: “Mom, I Love You.” A few X’s and O’s followed his affectionate plane declaration. You know: hug, hug, kiss, kiss. Pure precious.

Nice! I said to myself. Loser-mom strikes again.

I’d scolded my son and reacted out of frustration with a harsh tone. All the while, he was trying to tell me that he loves me.

I felt horrible.

Time stood still as a self-condemning, toxic internal dialog began.

Shame began to fill my heart, but as it did the Spirit of God within me gently nudged – reminding me that condemnation is not from Him. His conviction, however, spurred me on toward choosing a more godly response.

I whispered a quick prayer. And as I moved in the way of grace the Lord changed the tone of my heart. God’s love trumped my anger.

I called Preston back into my office and apologized for my behavior. I invited my tall, lanky pre-teen to sit on my lap and stared a new conversation in a calmer tone. Honey, while I’m not particularly fond of airplane attacks, especially while I’m working, I AM fond of love attacks. 

We shared a sweet moment. And as we reconciled, this truth rose in my heart:  when we allow God’s love to trump our anger, we position ourselves to experience restoration in relationships.

The Bible tells us that we are to be slow to anger.

“My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)

It’s a lesson that I am still learning.

Now, that doesn’t mean we should never be angry. Jesus exhibited righteous anger in the Jerusalem temple when he drove out the merchants that were buying and selling there. Righteous anger is biblically permissible. We should be angry about sin and injustice. But when we respond to others in anger, it becomes our sin.

Got any relationships that are in need of restoration?

Is there any anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness in your heart that might be gaining a stronghold in your life and keeping you from God’s best?

Are you quick to listen or quick to speak?

The benefits of allowing the love of God to trump any anger in my heart is tremendous, but the application sure can be challenging. I can’t overcome my natural, sinful tendencies to react, and overreact, in anger alone. I need God’s help. You do too. His grace meet us at our needs when we call on Him, and the Holy Spirit will help us to respond in God’s perfect love – not our own.

I want to be quick to listen to others and to the whispers of God’s love.

Join me in asking God for His love to lead us today.

Holy Father,
You are perfect in love… and I am not. I confess my anger / bitterness / unforgiveness right now when it comes to _______________ (fill in the blank). Please forgive me and bring restoration to the relationships that have been affected by my anger. Help me recognize when I over-react or when I respond in anger that is ungodly. Give me the grace to respond in love, to be slow to speak, and quick to listen.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.

 

FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE

READ Ephesians 4:26-31. Make a list of what the Bible says we should and should not do. Then use that list to guide you in prayer.

Do you need to trade anger for love? Spend a few moments in prayer, then leave me a direct message on Instagram telling me that you are ready to make the trade.

You’ve got what it takes to move forward in love when you’ve got Jesus. Walk on in His grace today, friend.

Love, love, love doing life with you!

🌸 GWEN

 

PS. If today’s message resonated with your heart and nudged you in a good way, I recommend grabbing a copy of my I WANT IT ALL book. It will take you by the hand (and heart) and walk you step by step down a path paved in truth and grace. And by the way, your timing is perfect because I’ve got a hugemongus SALE going on right now. #justsaying 😊

PSS. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We missed my oldest son (Preston… the one in the story) because he spent Thanksgiving in Ohio with his girlfriend’s family, but had a really nice day with the rest of us. THEN Kennedy, my baby girl, turned 18 on Sunday. WITHOUT my permission. 😉 Here are a few pics…