Teachable Moments

By -
**Disclaimer: This ins't just a teachable moment for moms!
Being a stay at home mom, every opportunity is a teachable moment. "This cup is the biggest"; "Which one is green?" Recently we had a several teachable moment: "Gemo isn't sleeping anymore; she's now with Jesus." Which Patrick quickly responded, "I want to see Jesus." "Me too," I said.

God uses Patrick for my teachable moments. We've been struggling with bedtime and going back to bed in the middle of the night. A few nights ago, Patrick woke up at 3am, and I was stuck between a rock and a hard place: let him scream it out and wake up everyone or meet his every demand. After struggling for an hour and a half, I coped out and summoned Jonathan. I was too angry and tired to handle the situation sensibly.

Returning to bed, I lifted the situation before the Lord and voiced my frustrations with my disobedient, irrational boy. Then parts of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 came to mind:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, 
it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered, 
it keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."


Love is not easy! It is something that we have to work on, something that the Spirit enables us to attempt to do. We can't love perfectly, but God sure does! I know I've thrown a ridiculous amount of temper tantrums at Him in my 26 years. I remember kicking and screaming about applying to Moody, where I eventually met my husband and gained a better understanding of the Bible. I've voiced my frustrations in not understanding the long "car ride" to Costa Rica. I've even complained about the "meal" he's put before me (e.g. blessings, provisions). YET, His love endures all things!
The only way I can being to love this way with through the help of the Lord. I can't be a good mommy alone! I must continue to cling to Him, to constantly ask for wisdom  and pray for Patrick and the other relationships He has before me. He can help me love this way!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Me llamo go to the bathroom

By -
I just finished my first trimester of language school. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned in 13 weeks. Though I have plenty to learn, I know just enough to get around and get my main point across. The highlight of my time studying was my last day of phonetics class where I was able to answer my teacher’s question about the Christmas story in Spanish. I got to see the light bulb go off in her head as she understood the visit of the wise men and Herod’s genocide for the first time. This is exactly why I’m learning Spanish! Patrick is also picking up on Spanish and is learning and applying things very quickly. He just spends time with Gina and applies all the rules I’m learning in my grammar class. The other day when I told him to say “hasta luego” (see you later) to one of my girlfriends, Patrick “corrected me”…. “mom, it’s supposed to be hasata luega. She’s a girl.” I had to explain that luego is always the same, but he’s got the whole gender thing down. Patrick has also learne
Read more

Giving Thanks

By -
Patrick brings great joy into our lives. His cute smile, constant babbling, and how he always squeals at dogs makes me bubble over with joy. It is crazy to think how much better our lives are since Patrick was born 8 months ago. As he discovers each new food, we get to be a part of the adventure. God uses Patrick to not only provide me with great joy, but He also uses Patrick to keep me thankful. I cannot see that cute smile without giving thanks to the Father. Ephesians 5:20 talks about giving thanks always and for everything. When you thank God for all He's done for you, it easily turns into a habit of prayer. Speaking of prayer, Patrick was an answer to a prayer I had when we were in Ecuador right after getting married. The transition into a place where I didn't speak the language but wanted to still minister was really hard. Jonathan, who speaks Spanish fluently, was able to lead a Bible study and give devotions at youth services while in Salasaca. I on the other hand learn
Read more

Pura Vida - We have arrived!

By -
Image
Pura Vida! Literally translated, 'pure life', this is a common greeting with Ticos. We are happy to announce that we have arrived without hassle and are almost all the way settled in! Quick facts: Left for airport 8/19 at 6am Arrived in CR with all of our bags at 1 pm CR time (currently on mountain time--but CR doesn't do daylight savings and time stays the same year round) No problems or taxes in customs (9 bags, 3 carryons, 1 guitar, 2 personal items)  Dinner and groceries provided for us for the first week.  Set up with internet at home within 24 hrs of calling the company. What!! Language school orientation starts Monday, first youth group event is Saturday 8/31 Patrick is doing very well considering the time zone, and loves his new room! (pics below) Story Our last days in the United States where a whirlwind. We had a bittersweet time at our church on our last Sunday, and had the house [mostly] taken care of by the time we went to bed Sunday ni
Read more