There has been a lot of crying - nay, sobbing - going on during school lately. We sob during math (long division is hard), we sob during spelling (who can spell "neglect"? not us), we sob during bible study (I have to write this WHOLE verse by myself???). And I don't know how to make it better. I give hugs, I give pep talks, I relent and put off the hard stuff until tomorrow, but then tomorrow, the same thing happens. I think maybe we've all been listening to the wrong voice. You know whose. The one that says we're stupid, we can't do this, we need to give up and give in. Who? Well, 1 John 4 says:
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Greater is the one who is in you than the one who is in the world. Notice it doesn't say greater are we than the one who is in the world, but greater is the one who is IN us. So we can't overcome the sobbing (or anything else) on our own, but we can if we ask God to help us. What a relief, huh?
I have trouble remembering to ask God for help, and so (quite obviously) do my kids. We try to do things on our own (dumb idea) and are surprised when we can't do them (every time!). We're going to talk about this verse/concept today, and every day, until the sobbing goes away. And then we'll keep talking about it so we don't forget (which you know we would).
By the way... my new favorite Christian singer/songwriter is Shawn McDonald, and he has a really cool song (trust me, those who doubt the coolness of Christian music) on this very topic. You can listen on You Tube here: http://youtu.be/8WroRx8vqy8. Notice how much he looks like my stepson David. Gauges and all.
Hey Allison. It is also good to remember that everything worthwhile is quite difficult to learn at the beginning. None of us are born knowing how to write in cursive, play the piano, or fly an airplane. In the end, the difference between achievement and just muddling along is practice. Maybe some thoughts along that line will help them get past the whiny stage. They CAN do it. Once they can do it, they will love it. Or at least love the fact that they can do it if they ever want or need to.
ReplyDeleteIf all else fails, you can always resort to the old-fashioned "Well, this assignment needs to get done today whether you cry you way through it or do it quickly and quietly. Your choice. But no playtime 'till it's done." Or as my step-daughter says, "love and consequences."
Thank you Pat! Words of wisdom.
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