We got a puppy for Christmas! Wow, had I forgotten what that entails and, as true in all situations, God is good to illustrate my life and parenting through this little bundle of energy and razor sharp teeth. Talk about self-control, puppies have none! Our vet told us, "Positive training only, catch her doing behaviors that you want to encourage and reward her, teach her to sit for everything so she knows how she is supposed to act." Well, you try that with an excited puppy who has been asleep most of the night and has energy to burn, mostly through the use of the previously mentioned razor sharp teeth. Needless to say, my morning quiet time has not been so quiet, but God is good.
After the visit to the vet, we went full-focus on sit, with little treats each time and we are trying very hard not to yell or be negative with her. Imagine trying that with a toddler in full-blown tantrum. It is truly working but it takes such diligence, preparation and patience. Just yesterday my husband sat on the floor with our little addition and soon enough she was crawling, jumping and nipping (which is a positive word for biting), all over him. Give a puppy a little and they want everything, which demonstrates a serious lack of self-control. In the midst of the craziness I decided to try my new tactic. I walked up to the hysteria and in a calm voice said, "Sit". Unbelievably the puppy stopped, sat and looked up at me. My husband and I both laughed hysterically and are now calling the sit command a puppy reboot.
In our daily lives and in our kids' lives we are constantly challenged with things, food, toys, technology, and our self-control is always at risk. The closer we are to God, the more often we hear his soft, calm, voice and we get a little reboot. The more frequently that reboot happens, the closer we walk with Him. The Lord is constantly trying to lead and shepherd us gently, but do we have enough self-control to hear him? Isaiah 40:11 says, "He protects His flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the fold of His garment. He gently leads those that are nursing." Don't you think it would take self-control to be carried in the folds of a garment? But how safe does that sound If only we could really use self-control to follow His commands moment by moment.
Through this puppy experience we are learning she has no boundaries until they are given to her and repeated constantly until they have sunk into her being. Don't you find yourself repeating things with your kids, setting boundaries that you thought you had already set, but seem to be getting pushed once again? And in our own walk with Christ, he has established boundaries in His Word that require self-control on our part through His strength which He reminds us of, gently through His Spirit. A constant reboot even for us.
Our puppy needs constant direction and reminding, as do our children, as do we. Titus 3:1-2 says, "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people." In order to be ready for good works, we have to obey, and obedience takes self-control and a disciplined life. Just as I have to teach our puppy to obey so she can be a 'good girl', I need to help my kids understand God's commands and how to obey those so they can be used by Him.
As we end this year and our time on the fruits of the spirit, may the focus we have had on them not end, but may it grow and deepen as our children grow in Christ. May we as parents, gently lead and be reminded that we have been called to shape and grow these little ones to find the path God has for them. Building takes a long time and it is a journey. It takes focus and looking at the plan provided in God's Word. It takes time for reflection, listening and intention toward the things God has outlined for us. Rome was not built in a day, but it did get built. "The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. You also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:21-22
We are being built and helping to build our children to grow into a holy sanctuary; people who love God and walk in His path on a journey to somewhere. The closer they are to God the more they will hear His reboot and will enjoy the peace of abiding in Him. I encourage you to be intentional in your parenting, but this is not the end of Imagine Parenting. Join me in the new year as I intentionally disciple my children through the wonderful stories in the bible and encouraging them through scripture and God's word so that, ultimately, they find their own journey to somewhere with God as their center. See you in 2012!
By His Grace
Meet Hula!
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