A week or so ago I posted the definition of the word consistent. It was for my benefit, because I have been lacking in consistency. Actually, life in general for us has been lacking in consistency. As a result, dealing with my children has become extremely stressful because of my lack of consistency. It a very humbling thought to realize that many times the issues that I think my kiddos are dealing with are actually my fault.
Several years ago Mr. OverKill and I were blessed to know a very unique couple. They were roughly our parent’s age, but also still had children at home. Quite a few, at home, 9 in fact, I think the grand total was 12… They had 3 biological children, and had adopted the rest. Now, I want to clarify, their children weren’t perfect, but the older boys who were out of the house were living for the Lord, and the children at home were always happy and generally well-behaved. I asked the father one day what their secret was. You know what he told me? Consistency.
Now, I haven’t been parenting for 30 + years, and I am already tired. How does one stay consistent for so long? I surely don’t have the answer for that, I am still struggling to remain consistent after only 9 years.
When I finally had a “Come to Jesus meeting” with the kiddos the first thing I said was, “We have been having some trouble in this house lately, do you know what the trouble is?” to which the older three responded “we haven’t been obeying like we should” and “We haven’t been keeping the house tidy like we should”. This totally blows me away, they know what they are doing! But they also know that when Mom is stressed or busy, they can get away with it.
So, I keep reminding the Lord that He has promised to be my “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1And that if I ask for wisdom He “gives generously to all without finding fault” James 1:5.
I also remind myself that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13, and “I am the vine you are the branches…without me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5.
I have to slow down, remove some things from my schedule and focus on being consistent with my children. Why? Because I want them to grow up to love the Lord and serve Him with their lives. Will it make my life easier when they obey the first time? Yes! But that’s not the ultimate goal, I am teaching them to obey me (hopefully, consistently) so that when they are adults, they will obey God (hopefully, consistently).
Being consistent requires much sacrifice from me right now, but I believe with all my heart it’s worth it. No, I don’t get “me” time, and no I don’t get to exercise daily (or even weekly for that matter :) But it’s not about me, it’s about serving the Lord wherever He has me. Right now, He has me in a beautiful home, with four beautiful kiddos who I need to be “training in the way they should go.” Proverbs 22:6.