Today we pray for Submission to Authority (page 14).
Read pages 15-16 before tomorrow.
From Brooke:
Today, make a point to lavish love and praise on your son when he chooses wisely- even small things.
Question for discussion:
*In the book, Brooke talks about hearing a speaker say these words: "Ladies, if your man cannot submit to Jesus, he cannot lead you. A man must be willing to be led before he can truly lead." How does this change your understanding of the importance of teaching your son(s) obedience?
Tomorrow (9/9) we pray for Integrity (page 17).
9 comments:
I loved that comment of Brooke's. It helps me see that obedience training (as difficult as it is during the toddler years) will be worth it. I want my son to be a strong, godly leader in both his family and his church. It's still difficult at times- I was exhausted by yesterday afternoon- but I know it will be worth it. Have a great day ladies!
Lately my son is being extra defiant to me with any small task that I ask him to do. I am trying to be very diligent to teach him the right responses and also to talk to him about having a "happy heart" when I ask him to do things. This takes perseverance, but I know it will pay off. I want my son to be able to be led so he can be a good leader. That is something I need to keep in mind when I work with him in this area.
My son is only 1.5, so he's just beginning the purposefully disobedient stage. The comment reminds me that my goal in disciplining and training is not just to make things comfortable and easy for me, but to shape his heart so that he is able to follow God, hopefully with less resistance than I've given.
This morning I prayed the verses over my boys at breakfast. Shortly thereafter, I needed to leave the room and could not get to the table when my three year old was calling "Mama, I. is doing...". I quickly called to S., and asked him to call down, then do something specific to control the situation (while I was trying to get back as quick as I could.).
I was so proud of him for following directions and actually doing what I asked him to do, when I was not present. I praised and thanked him.
And you know, today was a much better day. :)
Melissa, that is so encouraging. I had a situation today when I asked my son to do something and he obeyed and it was very small, but I praised him and each time I find him doing good I really try to praise him. I feel like sometimes I give too much negative attention and that is not what he needs. I want to give him good godly attention!
Good evening to all! Read my prayers to my boys this morning. Amanda took the words right out of my mouth, I am in total agreement with her comment. I think we can all relate with exhaustion too. I'm at work all day today, so I am going to continue with the praise tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good night.
In praying for my 4year old's son's heart to change, I find myself calmer and less likely to respond in a raised voice when he disobeys. Praising him today in the little things really affected his behavior. He beamed with every praise & seemed thrilled to be the "big helper" that I referred to him as. He really struggles with "immediate" obedience & I find myself repeatedly telling him over and over again the same request. This makes for a very frustrated mama. I really need to get better at my follow-through for punishment. I find myself praying for myself to have a calmer spirit when addressing his misbehaviors.
I was struck by the first and last line in the prayer that Brooke included in the section before the scripture prayers on obedience. It says, “Lord, please soften my son’s heart and place the desire within him to obey his parents in the Lord, for this is right....Give me a new vision for teaching and training my son in obedience. Amen.”
I sometimes feel so overwhelmed with teaching my son obedience as some days it feels like he does anything BUT obey with a "happy heart" as someone else mentioned. However, the parts of the prayer above struck me because so much of the equation is in God's hands and He will act through our prayers. I guess what I'm saying is this book is opening my eyes to how important prayer truly is. I'm glad we're doing just that through this challenge!
Oh, Christina- I struggle with my responses too during discipline. I find that when I am calmer things are better, but I have to pray on the spot for my spirit. I think about what kind of example I am setting.
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