Monday, November 2, 2009

Don't Cry Over Spilled Nail Polish

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8


Last night we had a devotional time with our girls. We focused on the above scripture from 1 Peter 4:8. We had a great discussion about love. We have been struggling as a family lately. I would like to blame it on the weather. . .but I know that there is more to it than that.

Lately we have all been really getting on each other's nerves. The girls have been arguing more than usual and everyone's tempers have been really short. My husband and I decided that we needed to regroup as a family and work some things out.

We would like to think that they are all young and we have a lot of time to work on this stuff with them, but our oldest is nine and she will be a teenager before we know it. (She already acts like one)

We talked about how it is so much easier to forgive each other when we love each other deeply. We all agreed that our little family loves each other deeply. I used an example of a time when my youngest spilled bright pink nail polish on my carpet. I said, "Do you remember how I was so mad, but I got over it really quickly. Why do you think it was so easy for me to get over being mad?"

My middle daughter piped in right away and said, "Because you knew Grandpa would come and put in new carpet."

We all laughed, but it led into a conversation on forgiveness and the greatness of God's love for all people.

My middle daughter has been burdened for a little boy in her class that doesn't celebrate Christmas. She talks about him often. At first it started with how sad it was that he didn't get to participate in the parties at school and that he doesn't get presents. However, lately she has realized that it is because he doesn't believe in Jesus like we do. Last night when we were talking about God's love she said, "God loves Jack even though he doesn't celebrate Christmas".

Even though we got some laughs over her comment about the new carpet, we realized that she really is starting to understand. This morning I quizzed the girls about the Bible Verse. My oldest rattled it off back to me with ease. I guess she was paying attention. My middle daughter said "God Loves All People".

The sun is shining today and we had a wonderful morning. God is so good. When we take the time to focus on Him instead of ourselves it is amazing how our attitudes change. It is amazing how much easier it is for us to "love each other deeply".

If you would like to read more details about our devotional time you can check them out at UnforgettableChildhood.com

3 comments:

Elyse said...

I think it is amazing that you and your husband are a team, and invest time and care and love in your children and their spirituality! way to go, mama!

Beth Herring said...

That is so wonderful! Teaching our children in the Lord is the best thing we can ever do for them and with them.!

Unknown said...

I love that when we take the chance to regroup, He honors that. We've been doing a lot of re-grouping lately. And I love how he's meeting us here!