Thursday, June 23, 2011

Are You Teachable?

I have been deeply challenged by a recent post from one of my favorite blogs, Press Toward the Mark (www.press-toward-the-mark.blogspot.com ).  The post featured the story of King Uzziah and can be found in 2 Chronicles 26 (I am learning to LOVE Old Testament history). Like many of us, Uzziah started out doing what was right in God's sight and he prospered greatly.  But later in life, he lifted up his heart and sinned against the Lord.  We can all relate to that, sadly, but what is really compelling about this story is what Uzziah did when he was confronted by the chief priest Azariah concerning his sin.  He had the chance to repent and make things right, but the Bible says Uzziah became "wroth," or angry, with the priest who had the courage to withstand his king.  At that moment of anger, Uzziah became leprous and remained so for the rest of his life.  He had to live apart from everyone and his son Jotham had to take over his reign.  My friend David Brown, who writes the Press Toward the Mark blog, challenges us to look at our reaction to godly correction.  Do we allow God's word to change us?  Do we heed the preaching of God's word? And, ladies, may I add a word - do we receive correction graciously from our dear husbands?  Or do we become angry like King Uzziah and reject godly instruction?

This Bible says in I Corinthians 10 that the lessons learned by Israel in the Old Testament are given to us for our admonition.  We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only, as we are reminded in James 1:22.  I have been thinking about this story and my own heart, which is painful enough, but the real heartbreak is for my children.  I cannot think of this whole topic of teachability and correctability without the certain knowledge that I have provided a poor example for my precious sons.

If I am to be a help at all to my younger readers, whose babies are still little, I must be honest enough to share my mistakes and bad choices.  I have written of these things before, but the Bible says we must be reminded of some things. As I contemplate the notion of being teachable, I am reminded of my role as a teacher to my children.  Not in the homeschooling way, necessarily, but as one who is in the position of training them up in the way they should go.  I am reminded of the importance of clear communication on the part of the teacher.  How can my children learn from me if my words all sound the same?  What do I mean by that?  One of the worst things I have done as a mother, over and over again, is to allow myself to become peevish and irritated over very trivial things, and to speak sharply to my children.  My way of communicating has masked the fact that some things are vitally important and some things are not.  I have not "picked my battles" well, so to speak.  Some of the things your children will do that irritate you are not important at all in the long run.  But disrespect or angry reactions to your correction is a serious matter indeed.  It doesn't matter so much what you are making an issue of as your child's reaction to your authority.  If I could go back and re-do so many situations, I would temper my voice and I would make the main thing the main thing.  I would separate childish carelessness from disrespect and rebellion.  Oh, may the Lord cover a multitude of my errors!

King Uzziah transgressed the law of God, and his priests withstood him.  He had a chance to make things right, but he allowed his anger and rebellious heart to doom himself to life as a leper instead of a king.  As born-again believers, we have the word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us.  May we learn from the fall of King Uzziah to receive godly correction with a humble spirit, and may we be careful and diligent to require the same from our dear children.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Back from My HECTIC Spring

I apologize for being MIA (missing in action) for so long, but it's been one hectic spring here.  The highlight was my older son's graduation from high school. What a great event in a young person's life!  He is planning to study Criminal Justice at a local state university and we are just so proud of him.

I have been more seriously decluttering these past few months, and I was able to host my mother-in-law here for a few days and even open our home for a graduation cook-out! Naturally, my beloved husband was absolutely a prince among men during all these goings-on.  He is so patient and good and is just such a hard worker.  I love you, my darling man!

I hope to be adding some great posts on a regular basis.  For now I will leave you with a website that has just fascinated me since I found it:  www.instructables.com
It has just oooooodles of cool stuff that DIY types have shared for us clueless ones.  Hope you enjoy!
Happy Summer!!