Monday, March 30, 2015

On Character building






Last night at church I met a wonderful lady; she was the guest speaker to talk about Kairos prison ministry. 

We connected straight away, and at the end of the service this lady came over to me and said, 'I have just been having a lovely conservation with your son, and I also am a home educator, and I just want to encourage you to keep on keeping on, as it's all about teaching character, and in the end that is what is most important'. 

What adjectives can I use to describe my heart and soul at those uplifting words?

- Uplifted
- Blessed
- Raised

The encouragement was simple, but for me it was like someone just coming along and picking me up again. 

This lady doesn't know what hardships I'm enduring with a certain 14yo, and how I am daily struggling to just not turn into a yelling, screaming arguing monster. 

Building character is the most difficult and trying thing to do as a parent, and I know that millions have gone before me, but sometimes I still feel so alone.

I know that God is the character builder, He is the potter and I am clay, and He is the one who shapes and moulds our lives, so we show His very attributes; His nature; His character. 

It's the constant battle between right and wrong. I know that arguing is wrong, that yelling is wrong, but I still do it at times because I am flawed, because my character is still being developed. 

I'm being taught to be humble and always apologise to my kids when I have messed up.

Miss Mason said 'More than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend'. More than anything! 

So those words 'keep on keeping on' are echoing in my spirit today as a gentle reminder to hold strong, even though I am weak, to hold my tongue, even when I want to vomit wrong words, to keep walking in love, even though I want to run away. 

Today is all we have, and today I have the greatest teacher with me, guiding each step, who recently told me 'I don't own my children', they belong to Him. 




6 comments:

  1. Those are tough years, and having weathered them I heartily agree that turning to the Holy Spirit for comfort and guidance and keeping in mind character are vital at this stage.

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    1. Thank you for dropping by. I tried to get to your blog, but was unable to get on. Do you have your own blog?

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  2. We do this calling on the Grace of God! Have to keep reminding myself. How encouraging to have that feedback. It's hard to be objective about our children when we are having daily interaction & conflict. So good to have an 'outsiders' view sometimes.

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    1. Yes, it is such a blessing to have others just encourage.

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  3. Oh Sarah. .. praying for you. I'm guilty of my share of yelling too. Trying here to let go of my uncontrolled feelings and leaning on Him.

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    1. Thank you for the prayers!!! It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I'm praying for you too Silvia.

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