Impatience or Grace?

 

Mother is angry at her son doing homework

“Mom, will you play a game with me?”

I can’t believe that after hounding reminding this child several times this morning to finish his math and fighting “the writing wars” this afternoon, he now wanted to play a game. With me.

My insides were screaming, “NO, I really DON’T want to!”

But of course, I murmured a lack-luster “Sure.”

All I could think about was how early I had woken up to get organized for the day. How patient I had been when I felt like yelling.  How messy the house was and how I still had no idea what I was making for dinner.

His perspective, of course, was entirely different.

And, sadly, it took me WAY too long to figure out his perspective.

It wasn’t a coincidence that this child wanted to play a game with me after a frustrating school day.

This child needed the assurance he was still loved.

 Just like I do, regularly,  from my Heavenly Father.

Even though he knew he had fooled around instead of getting his math done. Even though he had been playing in his room instead of doing his copy work. 

He needed a hug and some focused attention, without the pressure of “school.”

He needed me to be “mom” for a while, instead of “teacher.”

As I looked into that unsure face, I finally got it. Hugging him close, I asked, “What would you like to play?”

“How about Monopoly?” he squealed.

“We can start it and play until time to fix dinner, but we will have to finish it later.”

“Mom, I am sorry I played today instead of working on school.”

Giving unexpected grace prompted a repentant heart.

Lord, please help me to be quicker to extend grace and less impatient with my children.

The light in his eyes and relieved smile on his face gave me a little spring in my step that evening.

Giving grace instead of the ‘expected’ reaction is an investment that will pay off great dividends.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal.6:9

How is your challenging learner doing this week?

How might extending him or her unexpected grace help?

7 Comments

  1. Such a beautiful post! That is something I strive for …is grace. Its so easy for me to get caught up in the everyday chores I have.. I can’t forget my first duty is to my sweet kids. All the other mess can wait.

    1. I agree that it is easy to be caught up in all our “to-dos”, Candice. I also strive for grace, but in my humanness, I have had to ask for forgiveness many times. I guess that teaches them, too. 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the post!

  2. I have tears in my eyes as I read this. I so needed this reminder. We struggle with this every day and I rarely ever have the quiet I love you moments of a game or other pressure free reassurance and it leaves me feeling exhausted and like a not so hot mama. Thank you for this gentle reminder.

    1. Dear Christina, we push ourselves pretty hard, don’t we? It is SO challenging to feel we are getting enough school done while keeping the household going. Sometimes we need to cut down on our ‘productivity’ so there is time and energy for the things that matter even more than getting ‘everything’ done on our list for the day. Read aloud time is a good time to get a little cuddling in, and a hug at the end of school with praise for something a child did right that day goes a long way. God bless!

  3. Thank you, Aliece! I think we all need a reminder that we are loved at the end of a rough day. 🙂 Kids don’t realize that moms are often just as upset at our own behavior as we are at our children’s. We have to extend one another that grace on a regular basis, don’t we?

  4. I know I am not “the kid” you are referring to above, however, I must attest you are right! At the end of the day, I needed to be reminded that I was loved as a child even when my attitude or performance that day had left much to be desired. I would venture most kids are well-aware when they have made your day rough by their rebellion, even when they fake obliviousness. Great post!

    1. Thank you so much, Sweet Aliece! It’s so helpful to hear from the perspective of someone who was homeschooled. :-). Thank you for taking the time to read the post and share your thoughts!

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