We've all heard the saying "curiosity killed the cat." What I'd like to know is... did the cat happen to be a TWO-YEAR-OLD cat?!?!? These days there is not one thing that is sacred or safe from the ten tiny little fingers that are attached to our two-year-old's hands. Adorable though she is and sweet as a piece of pie when she wants to be, the girl is so very very curious. And, she's not the only one. Her peers are equally as fascinated with everything and anything "VERBOTEN" so I'm told by many a wary mom-friend.
In the midst of all of the chaos such as this (albeit tiny):
I find myself saying things in what I like to call repetitive mode. And, it is during these moments that I am reminded of a 20+ year old video entitled "Bill Cosby Himself." During his stand-up routine, he recounts saying things to his children such as "sit down, sit down, sit down, sitsitsit, downdowndown, sitdownsitdownsitdown, sit DOWN!" or "stop it, stop it, stopitstopitstopitstopit, STOP IT!"
Now, Mr. Cosby did not cover the flip-side of that scenario; however, I choose to believe that a parent's tendency to say things over and over is not his/her fault. It's a form of communication that's engrained in us; we're bombarded with it from the moment our children are able to speak words. WE are the subjects of an annoyance that is relative to the ever infamous Chinese water torture. Caught in a room with no place to run, we hear things like "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy (x pi squared)...." and "juice, juice, juice, juice, juice."
So, where am I going with this? So, where am I going with this? So, where am I [[[SNAP]]]... ah yes...
At times, the guilt of becoming frustrated with our children sets in and the self-condemnation (perhaps mixed with the enemy's never-ending condemnation) begins to creep in and attempts to strip us of all the good that we've done for our children or all the love that we've poured into them on a daily or even hourly basis. And, we are left with an almost unconscionable choice: a) lie down, pull out the white flag, wave it in the air and cry until the not-so-waterproof mascara runs onto a once-white blouse or b) pull out the Word of God (a.k.a. the sword of the spirit) and send the enemy packing, dear sister-mom!
REPEAT!
REPEAT!
REPEAT!
In the midst of all of the chaos such as this (albeit tiny):
I find myself saying things in what I like to call repetitive mode. And, it is during these moments that I am reminded of a 20+ year old video entitled "Bill Cosby Himself." During his stand-up routine, he recounts saying things to his children such as "sit down, sit down, sit down, sitsitsit, downdowndown, sitdownsitdownsitdown, sit DOWN!" or "stop it, stop it, stopitstopitstopitstopit, STOP IT!"
Now, Mr. Cosby did not cover the flip-side of that scenario; however, I choose to believe that a parent's tendency to say things over and over is not his/her fault. It's a form of communication that's engrained in us; we're bombarded with it from the moment our children are able to speak words. WE are the subjects of an annoyance that is relative to the ever infamous Chinese water torture. Caught in a room with no place to run, we hear things like "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy (x pi squared)...." and "juice, juice, juice, juice, juice."
So, where am I going with this? So, where am I going with this? So, where am I [[[SNAP]]]... ah yes...
At times, the guilt of becoming frustrated with our children sets in and the self-condemnation (perhaps mixed with the enemy's never-ending condemnation) begins to creep in and attempts to strip us of all the good that we've done for our children or all the love that we've poured into them on a daily or even hourly basis. And, we are left with an almost unconscionable choice: a) lie down, pull out the white flag, wave it in the air and cry until the not-so-waterproof mascara runs onto a once-white blouse or b) pull out the Word of God (a.k.a. the sword of the spirit) and send the enemy packing, dear sister-mom!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." ~Ephesians 6:10-18a (ESV)Now, about this repetition thing... it's not all bad! Repetition can actually be helpful. We can arm ourselves with verses for the days ahead (because there will be days ahead...Mama said!). So, here's a verse to get you started and perhaps to keep you afloat:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." ~Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
REPEAT!
REPEAT!
REPEAT!
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