NO!

No is a very revealing word. That single, simple, two lettered word can often reveal what's in the depths of a person's heart.



This applies not only to child training but also to our personal lives and hearts.



One day I was having a difficult time with the boys. (the two older ones that is) They were just at each other constantly. I was trying to be very consistent but it was wearing on me. Finally I had to take a bath and RELAX; so I parked them in front of my computer in the guest room to watch a short video.

I was in the guest bathroom so I could hear everything that went on and also could see them if I needed to. It was only a few minutes before they were arguing and irritating each other again. I told them to come into the bathroom. I proceeded to explain that because I couldn't trust them to obey when I wasn't in the room that they had to sit with me while I took a bath. NO, not IN the tub with me but in the bathroom. (on OPPOSITE sides of the room) They whined for a few minutes but I just told them to stop and went back to my book. All was quiet for a few minutes and they asked if they could get up. I asked them if their hearts were right, if I could trust them to behave, and also explained that if they so much as breathed on each 0ther wrong then they would be right back in the bathroom with me. They ASSURED me that they now had better attitudes and could get along. They said they would be obediant. heeheehee They went back into the guest room and sat back down.

Well, it didn't take long (surprise surprise) for them to irritate each other so it was back in opposite sides of the bathroom again. This time I made them wait quite awhile (FOREVER- to them) to get up. I wanted to make sure that there was a heart change this time. I wanted to see if I had been too quick the first time to let them go back. I wanted to see if they would be content to stay if I said, "No, you have to wait longer." Well the first time one of them asked and were told, "No, you must wait longer,"...oh the DRAMA that came forth. Crying, whining, frustration. I said that they had to sit there until they could be happy and have a heart change. I then ignored the whining and crying (except for a command to STOP) and went back to the book I was reading; seemingly unaware of their "pain". They asked a few minutes later and I again said, "No." Again this did not go over well. I then pointed out to them that when you have a good attitude because you're getting your way it doesn't mean much; but when you are told ,"no" and still have a contented, good attitude THAT really means something. I made them sit there until I was satisfied that they had genuinely good attitudes when I said, "no."



The funny (not funny haha, funny ironic) thing was that when I said to them that it doesn't mean much if you have a good attitude while you're getting your way but when you are told, "no" and have a good attitude that really means something" the Holy Spirit quickly pointed out (as He is SO GOOD to do) that I struggle with the same thing myself. I often have a bad attitude when I am told "no" whether it is by God, or my husband or someone else in authority over me.

One thing I like about raising kids and paying attention to what's going on in their hearts is that it's taught me SO MUCH more about the condition of my own heart. Thank God that He doesn't give up on me and that "He Who began a good work in [me] will be faithful to complete it."

Praise you Lord for revealing things to us, for caring so much about us, and for not letting us remain in sin.

Blessings everyone!!- Angela :)