To Read on the Journey

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Temperature (Day15)

For 31 days I am writing to my children
 my future grandchildren, great, and all my great-grandchildren. 

When my children were little I had a lot of mommy guilt.  Like a semi-truck load of guilt. 
I was overly worried that I was failing miserably in this parenting gig.  I feared my children- who I cherish- would grow to loath me.   

During this time I sobbed to a fellow mommy, expressing my fears that my children would grow up and recall the many times I'd failed them.  My mommy friend comfortingly responded...

 
"you're children aren't going to recount every little detail, 
what they will remember is 
the temperature of your home."


I considered my friend's gracious words, and thought, 'what is the temperature of our home?'

We're a happy family; we do silly and laugh with each other daily.

We strive to speak words of delight and encouragement. 
We aim to serve and support each other.
We speak truth into each other's lives. 
We extend grace (I receive a majority of the grace). 
We're intentional to think and speak the best of each other. 
We attempt to resolve disagreements, and get back to "normal" quickly. 
We look out for each other. 

I Corinthians 13- Love, 8x10 Stand Out Print
Print available at the Kiss the Sky Shop


I recognized that the overall temperature of our home is set on LOVE. 

I exhaled the truckload of guilt, and inhaled the truth~
my children will look back fondly on their childhood, knowing they grew in a home that strived to live Love. 

“Let me give you a new command: 
Love one another. 
In the same way I loved you, you love one another. 
This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—
when they see the love you have for each other.”
John 13:34-35
The Message


 My prayer for you is that you will be a temperature changer!  Changing the setting to LOVE in whatever environment you are in.  When we live in His love we see who God really  is. I want that for you!  When we extend  love we show who God is. I want that for His glory through you. In Jesus, amen.    


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Truckload of guilt"…yeah. Me too. I'll try (try, try) to remember this. Being a parent is no easy gig, for sure. But I have to say, your example makes me a MUCH better parent than I would be if left to my own devices.

Unknown said...

Hi friend, I love this idea of the temperature of "love", such a good goal to have.

By the way, I've nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award! Head over to my blog today to see what it's all about. Can't wait to read your responses!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Yes, yes, yes!! A home with a temperature set on *love*. Now that is beautiful. :)

Linda Z said...

I love this idea. I'm definitely going to file this one away in my list of helpful sayings (the one I keep in my head). I am so happy to have spent time with your family... to feel this warm climate that you and your family have been intentional about setting.

I find that as a mom and wife, I have big responsibility in being mindful of our household climate. My moods can definitely spill over to my family... positive and negative alike. I have to be careful about what I think about and what I say and do. I mess up a lot, but I'm glad for "do-overs" and getting back to "normal quickly."