It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Happy spring! I love this time of year! It's time to get out your cleaning supplies and give the pad a good old scrub down! I am really starting to get excited about the move because it gives me a good opportunity to get rid of some of the junk that is taking up real estate here at the Renfroe house!
I am a little nervous about some of the things that I might find though. My boys are now at the age that they bring 'treasures' into the house without me knowing about them. Here is a picture of the things I pulled out of the pants pockets before doing laundry this morning:

Spring is the best season of all to me. I love the idea of a new begining. I know I desperately need one in several areas of my life! My friend Delta sent me the best package in the mail last week. She sent me an article about using scripture to train and teach your children. This is an area I definitely need a new beginning in. I know it is what is necessary, yet, how does it look, practically? We have mostly just tried using scripture memory. It is so hard to explain certain words to your preschooler. With this route, I have had a hard time getting the point across. For example, a verse we use often about being kind uses the word 'preference.'

"What does preference mean?"

Well, the point we want to make is: the Bible says to consider others better than ourselves.

"Mom, what does 'consider' mean?"

I get lost in all of the technicalities!

In a conversation with Delta she said, "I am trying to use scripture to encourage them to use correct behavior instead of fussing at them all day." I should note for those of you who don't know Delta should note that she doesn't speak in "preference," "considers," and "thou shalts." She is extremely practical. I was instantly intrigued, as I am definitely in need of a fresh clean start in this area of my life. So, she sent me the package.

The article has a chart that has these headers: a list of circumstances, a list of questions to ask to help them think of the solutions on their own, a list of behaviors to "put off," (using Scripture) behaviors to "put on," (using Scripture), and a list of other Verses on the subject.

For example, the first one is:

Disobeying

the questions:Are you obeying or disobeying? How did you disobey? How does God want you to obey? Note: All the way, Right away, with a happy heart

put off: Disobedience. When you disobey me, you are disobeying God and it will not go well with you. I love you too much to allow you to disobey. Eph 6:1-3

put on: Obedience. "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20

Additional verses: Proverbs 13:13, 18, 24 Proverbs 15:32

I realized quickly that I need to spring clean my attitude. Just looking over the pages of that chart I realized that so many of my automatic responses are foolish and child-like. Here are a few that cut me to the core:

Selfishness, worry, teasing, discontent, complaining, wastefulness

The other morning I was watching the election news. Obama was talking about the majority of Americans "having zero or negative balances in their bank accounts, while holding down two, maybe three jobs." Now, being an election year, the politicians would have us to believe that the rising cost of oil is to blame. I am sure that has some to do with our current situations. However, personally, I can't place the blame completely on the oil. Here is what my chart says to put on:" Wastefulness leads to poverty and a foolish man destroys what he has. Guilty. I can not even count how many times I have used the phrase, "We will get you a new one..." for some reason or another. I am truly convicted over the contridictions in my words and behaviors with my children.

I am so thankful for the grace and patience of the Lord. Oh, how I need both!