Do my children cry more than other kids? They seem to cry at the smallest, silliest things.
Why do my children show little interest in spiritual things? I know of several children David’s age whose parents say are now saved. How did they teach what seems to be above my child’s comprehension?
Am I too easy on them? too hard? inconsistent? Susanna Wesley said by the time the child was two (or was it one?) she had mastered his will, and he was thereafter submissive.
How long must I repeat the same instructions each day before they get it on their own? Am I doing something wrong?
If I think about it, the times when I second guess myself are mostly when I’m using other parents or my own ideal as my ruler. I can get analytical on my own, and I don’t think introspection in itself is bad. But I do want to make sure that my introspection is Bible centered and not man centered.
Better to say…
Am I showing biblical mercy to my children? Am I helping them understand how to deal with their fears and troubles?
Am I being faithful to talk about God’s truth? Am I explaining to the best of my ability foundational truths that will lead my children to an understanding of salvation?
Am I being faithful to help them obey? Am I showing them that when they obey me, they are obeying and glorifying God?
Am I being weary in well doing? Do I believe God when He tells me I will reap the consequences of sowing God’s truth in my children?
I have been thinking exactly these thoughts. I confess that I thought this way when I left your house- comparing my kids to yours, how you might do things compared to how I might do things… it lead to a downward spiral in my thinking. COMPARISON LEADS TO THE DEATH OF CONTENTMENT!!!!God must be our standard or we are in trouble. 🙁 Rather, I should be asking God to always train my thinking in learning from others, not in comparing myself ( or my kids) to them. Today I will try do a better job of immediately fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, NOT immediatley fixing my eyes on others. Thanks for the reminder to be on the alert today for the crafty ways of the enemy and to be thinking heavenly thoughts.