Forgiveness

Feb 8, 2017 | Essential Oils, Extra Crunchy, Faith & Ramblings, General Wellness | 2 comments

Forgiveness.

It’s hard. Some days, it’s really, really hard. 
 
 We’ve had a…less than stellar past few weeks in regards to attitudes, and the like. Mostly with our oldest child. I have been frustrated, angry, and disappointed. I have lost my temper. I have yelled. I have harbored bitterness. I have come to expect the worst out of my children, and all those around me. I’ve been “waiting for the other shoe to drop” as the saying goes, for so long.
 
Today, it did just that. I received a phone call from my sons teacher. She told me that J-Man has been complaining of being hungry in the mornings, and that he doesn’t eat breakfast at home, and can he please eat some breakfast in the cafeteria before school starts.
 

 

Y’all…my jaw about hit the floor.

I felt the need to defend myself and my husband. Were we those parents? The parents that get that sideways look at school, or mumbled discussions under the breath of the other parents? Do they think we starve our children?! Is DSS going to be knocking on my door any minute? 

Just to be clear, we do feed our children. WELL. 

Now, it’s up to them if they actually choose to eat the food that is prepared for them. Don’t sit there staring at your breakfast and refuse to even take one bite, then turn around and tell your teacher you don’t get to eat breakfast at home. No sir. 

The events of today have forced me to stop. 

It is up to ME how I will react to this. I could sit here angry all day, allowing the devil to get that foothold, and in turn, lash out on my son as soon as he gets in the car after school. Or…

I can choose mercy.

I can choose grace.

I can choose forgiveness. 

After all, God forgives US of so many worse offenses than this. He gives grace daily, and His love is never ending and never failing. 

Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Do I fail?

Good gracious, yes.  Every. Single. Day. I fail. But God.

Forgiveness is not easy. But it strengthens relationships so much. And that’s exactly what my relationship with J-Man needs right now. Strengthening. 

It’s been a morning of prayer, and essential oils, to prepare my heart for when I pick him up from school today. 
So I added some of our Renewing Blend, aptly named FORGIVE, to the diffuser this morning. This blend is incredible. It’s herbaceous, fresh and woody. 
 
It’s description:
  • Promotes feelings of contentment, relief and patience
  • Counteracts negative emotions of anger and guilt

 

Bam! I need all those things! 

Now, everyone has their own way of worshiping and honing in on God’s Word. I find that I am able to better focus, relax, and let go of negative feelings if I use essential oils, along with my time with God. It always makes for a more effective prayer time…for me, anyway. 

So if you are struggling today with forgiveness, I pray you will seek God’s Word, and search your heart. How we respond to another persons words or actions speaks volumes. I will show my son the love of Christ. I will show him grace, and I will show him what it means to forgive. 

I hope you all have a blessed Wednesday!

 

 


2 Comments

  1. Becky on February 8, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    It’s so hard sometimes. Parenting I mean. I knew it would be hard and I only have the 1 and she’s just 7 so it’s going to be even harder as she gets older. Sometimes I’m just tempted to ignore things because I don’t want to deal. Then of course God sneaks in there and says “what about 7 years from now… what is she going to be like then?”… it all has to do with how we handle them now. It’s a lot of responsibility to grow a person into a decent God fearing human being. I sometimes wonder why God allows us the task. We have to be what we want our children to become. It’s a lot… Anyhoo, that’s my long way of saying I feel ya. <3

    • bwhitson on February 8, 2017 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you! I often wonder the same thing! Raising a child is such a HUGE and important task, and yet, HE trusts us with these tiny humans. I can’t even imagine what 7 is going to look like…I’m nervous, honestly. It’s definitely a daily “check my attitude” to make sure I’m representing God well to my kids. Mom-ing is hard…but at least we have other moms to commiserate and pray with! <3