~ "Just Be Jesus" ~

I am convinced that one of my sons was put on this earth to either make me a better person, or, send me to an early grave! :) This is the same son that I wrote about in He'll Just Fix It. If nothing else, I know he gives me good stuff to ramble about.

Most importantly, he has given my heart such a precious peek into Jesus' love, frustration, and patience with me.

Last week was a very difficult week for him being able to complete his homework and chores. I found myself repeating over, and over, and over again ~ to a point, that I was so frustrated, I am sure my face was cartoon style beet red with steam coming from my head.

All I could think was my fearful thoughts of 'he would never do well in junior-high school', 'would never be responsible', 'will not be ready to accept more teenage roles', and on and on.

As I stomped, I mean, walked upstairs, venting in my mind thoughts that I am very glad my poor child couldn't hear, I was put right in my place......I humbly felt the Lord say,

• "And, how many times have I told you what to do, yet you don't?"
• "Don't you think you need to 'pay more attention' to Me?"
• "How often have I had to repeat myself, giving you 3rd, 10th, and 25th chances?"
• "If you only knew the number of times I have thought to myself 'If she'd only listen the first time' "
• "You weren't ready for the responsibility to be a mother ~ yet, I trusted you, stayed with you, guided you, and, supportted you"

Well, I found myself having to ask for major forgiveness for my attitude and unkind responses to my child. And, instead of venting about, I began praying for my son to get on A on the test I had so unkindly put in front of him.

And, everytime my thoughts drifted to the panic of "Lord, what am I gonna do?" ~ I just heard Him patiently respond "Just be Me".

Amazingly, as I have strived to "Just be Jesus" to my son over the past few days, I have found his behavior and schooling improving! Every time he has not done what I believed he should have done, instead of spouting off or telling him what he did / did not do, I have just stopped, and literally thought "Just be Jesus".

Sometimes we must be reminded that we really are all just His children full of ADD, rebellion, insecurities, and incapabilities ~ Yet, we succeed in His calling because He stands beside us and "Is Just Jesus" to us.

Lord, forgive my failings as a parent and your child ~ I pray I can be more like You and less like myself to my precious 4 gifts you have entrusted to me.