There is no one in my life quite like my husband and kids. They are special to me, there is no doubt about it. But, no one can push my buttons like they do. For the last six or so years (my son is almost 7), I've dealt with my anger. At times I have not been quite the parent I hoped I would when I first looked into his eyes. It has been a struggle and I'm just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let me share with you a few things I've found that is helping me with this issue.

I am reading a very good book right now, it is called, "Be Angry, But Don't Blow It!" {EDIT: actually the book is called, "She's Gonna Blow!" Oops!} The author is Lisa Bevere. It is a very good, down-to-earth book for moms that quite frequently are "Mount Mommas" (her term for moms that are explosive - like a volcano). She is very real in the book and confessess some things that make me feel better (because I am just the same). It is also light-hearted and funny at times.

Recently this little nugget in the treasure trove jumped out at me:

Ecc. 7:9 "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

Ouch! Talk about a punch in the gut. That one packs a mean punch. So, God is telling us that it is foolish to get angry. I can see that. There are times when such little, nit-picky things make me blow and there is a little part of me sitting back saying, "Hey, what was that all about anyway? You're exploding over spilled milk again..." Most of the time there is no reason for blowing up at my kids. What makes me blow my top is not even all their fault. I'm thinking about the fact that the air conditioner repairman hasn't shown up in two weeks and it's the middle of July in Alabama! Or the fact that I forgot to pay for something at the store, or a hundred other non-kid related items and I just blow up at them for some ridiculous little thing!?

I am learning, slowly to get myself under control. It is a slow process, however. In that same chapter of Ecclesiasties, there is a verse that makes me feel a whole lot better.

Ecc. 7:20 "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

Which is a lot like this verse:

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

This just makes me feel better because other people struggle with the same issues I have. No one on earth is totally sinless, and yet, there will be some to make it to heaven. There's hope for me there too!

The writer of the book mentioned earlier had struggled through the same problems and her confession is good for MY soul as well as hers. We all need to be real and willing to confess the things of our struggle and encourage one another. Don't put on a false front like the Pharisees! Romans 4:19 says, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." And in I Thess. 5:11 we read also, "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

So go encourage a brother or sister today!

Blessings!