 My little red head had a hard day today. Him and his brother are two of the most strong-willed kids I know, but over the last year he has begun to learn how to yield his little rights. I saw none of that today. Because I wouldn't do what he wanted me to do, (stand in front of the cabinet) he lost it. He punched me in the face, bit me and called me names. Only by God's grace did I not loose my cool and discipline him in anger. He just couldn't let go of what he thought he deserved. When I didn't fit into his expectation of me he blew up and threw a fit. I wish this were just a little kid thing, but doesn't the same thing happen to us adults? Isn't it so easy to think we deserve to be treated this or that way for people to do this or that for us and if they don't we throw a fit. Our culture is saturated with entitlement egging us on, whispering in our ears, "you deserve..." or "you don't deserve..." But really, if God gave us what we deserved we'd be in hell tonight. Our culture is saturated with entitlement. Jesus wasn't. "The only person in the history of the world with license to demand rights is Jesus. He's God in the flesh, Creator entering creation. He alone can claim entitlement; He alone can demand that certain rights be given to Him. Yet this is not the mentality He had. Instead of coming into the world demanding worship, honor, wealth, fame, or the many other things rightly entitled to Him, He came humbly, seeking to serve and yield His rights for the sake of others... Jesus left behind eternal, perfect fellowship with the Father and the Spirit to come to earth, taking on frail human flesh and living among us. He was willing to suspend the rights and privileges of Heaven to become a servant. He had a right to comfort, yet He had no place to lay His head. He had the right to be respected; yet He was accused of being of the devil. He had the right to be honored and worshiped; yet He was mocked and scorned. He had the right to be understood; yet for a time His own family didn't believe in Him. He had the right to justice; yet on the cross He suffered the greatest injustice in human history-the perfect, righteous Son of God dying under accusation of blasphemy against the Lord. Jesus would have been completely justified in demanding these rights... If your generation is going to finally fulfill the Great Commission, it will be because you yield your careers, your money, your relationships, your time, your lifestyle, your reputation, everything to the Lord. This vision cannot and will not be realized by a generation of Christians who buy into the value system of the world, who claim entitlement and cling to their rights... Your legacy as perhaps the greatest generation in history hinges on these questions. Will you demand or will you yield?" What powerful words by Roger Hershey in his book The Finishers. It is one of my favorite books and totally recommend it.  You also might like:I'm joining the beautiful ladies at Women Living Well, We are that Family, Raising Homemakers,Internet Cafe Devotions, Proverbs14:1, Daily Walk in His Grace, Raising Mighty Arrows, Intentional.Me, Denise in Bloom, Leaving a Legacy, Thankful Thursday, Reflections of His Grace, To show them Jesus, Imperfect Prose.
14 Comments
10/30/2012 09:09:22 am
Very powerful post, Laura.
Laura
10/30/2012 11:29:13 pm
Thanks Daphne for your sweet words.
Laura
10/31/2012 10:31:08 am
Nice to meet you Tonya! Thanks for the encouragement. Contentment is a great thing to be pursuing... it is so easy to not be. 10/31/2012 04:43:27 am
I'm so proud of you for handling your son's 'I deserve it' moment so well! This is a great post. What a wonderful reminder of what I deserve and what He deserves.
Laura
10/31/2012 10:36:01 am
Congrats Mary on becoming a grandma!!! Your writing is a blessing keep it up! :) 10/31/2012 08:32:39 am
I am new to blogging and so love you guys. Thanks for the words of encouragement. You are a Super Sister and so filled with inspirations.
Laura
11/9/2012 06:50:58 am
Thanks Chris! 11/1/2012 12:08:51 pm
Hi Laura,
Laura
11/9/2012 06:52:42 am
I totally understand. I am not always able to keep my cool... oh how I wish that were the case, especially when he does something like that. I really thought I was a patient person till having kids. Then the Lord allowed me to see how much I really do need Him. :) 11/2/2012 06:52:05 am
We're neighbors at Winsome Wed and I'm finally getting around to visiting.. so glad I did- can't even pick my favorite line from this post because I loved it all. Grace is amazing, isn't it? And to think we are invited to live a life far greater than we deserve... Jesus is amazing, isn't He? i'll have to check out the book you mentioned; will add it to my wish to read list :) Have a great weekend
Laura
11/9/2012 06:53:22 am
Oh Alicia, that is so encouraging. Thank you!
Cynthia Swenson
11/3/2012 11:04:15 am
I'm concerned; that's a high level of disrespect that little guy is showing to his parent. I really think he needs a good spanking for that kind of behavior. Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
Laura
11/9/2012 06:50:26 am
Yes. It is concerning. He is the most strong-willed kid I know (with one of our other kids right behind him) and yes we are very consistent in disciplining him. He however is not a very quick learner. Though over the past 2 years I do have to say he is getting better. We have read/listened to many articles and books regarding the strong-willed child and strongly believe we are parenting him the way the Lord wants us to. It sure has been a huge challenge but I hear once they learn how to control themselves and learn to yield the Lord can use that determination for His glory. Leave a Reply. |
New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about.
Two Free eBooks for Subscribers
Join 11,000+ others and get Missional Women updates and two FREE eBooks.
Subscribe Are you new to our site? Check out our HOME page to get a better idea about the Missional Women ministry.
Popular Posts
|
