Yesterday I decided to Tomato Stake Kyle and Joshua. Kyle has been horrible about tormenting Joshie...and Joshie has been horrible about responding with screaching and whining. So last night I informed them they would be Tomato Staked starting this morning. I'm tired of being frustrated and irritated with them.
Then, David and I discussed the oldest two and their attitudes. I have been thinking that David needed to *get in their faces* to correct them...but he's not *there* yet. And honestly, most of what I want him to handle are things that I tell him about that have happened during the day, rather than things he actually sees or experiences.
So I visited the Godly Tomatoes site this morning. (http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/) And, of course, since this was something God was moving me towards, I got my toes crunched pretty well. :) However...the important thing is that *I* have a way of taking care of things without trying to get (read - manipulate) David into taking care of for me. (Not that he doesn't have a part in parenting...but *I* am home with them all day...and *I* have the opportunity to make the correction WHEN THE INFRACTIONS HAPPEN...which is really more effective anyway!)
Reading up on the littler ones was more of a review...something I needed to get myself focused and to refresh my memory of what I'm doing and why. Sadly, I just now am REALLY beginning to understand the *why* behind it.
But when I started reading about the older ones...it got daunting. How in the world do I reach my teens???
Umm....how about starting with me! OUCH!!!!!!!! Yep...*I* have to make some changes in my own attitude and outlook. The funny thing is, I was thinking of that last night...and that I really don't want to waste all of the revelation God has been pouring into me. But *I* don't see *me* changing...even with all of the incredible things He has been teaching me lately! So...now I have an answer...I'm Tomato Staking myself to God's Word...putting away anger, wrath, malice...etc. And, as I've been learning from Mere Christianity, (or should I say, hearing in a different way that helps me to make sense of it), I can do it because the Holy Spirit is in me, enabling me. Praise God!!!
So....how does Ephesians 4 fit into this? Here are verses 17 to 32...
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
vs. 17 *futility of their thinking...the key word is *their*...that would be *me* trying to figure it out on my own!
vs. 18 *ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts*...I've been acting ignorantly because I've been choosing not to trust God...building walls. THAT is changing, praise God!
vs. 19 That's living in the five senses...what I can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell....rather than living in the spirit...which is what God intended!
These 3 verses are a great summation of how God-less people live! And sadly, it describes all too many Christians...who are living out of their heads, rather than their hearts....a way of life I'm choosing to change!
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
vs. 20 I did not come to know Christ by what I knew in my head...I came to know Him...and continue to get to know Him...in my heart...in my spirit.
22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
vs. 22-32 Here is where the Godly Tomatoes come into play. It jumped out at me....screamed at me...THIS is what I am supposed to be teaching my children to do! It's what *I* need to learn how to do myself!!!These are behaviors I want to see in myself...and what I want to teach my children. THIS is what it means to be a healthy, viable Christian.
I'm so grateful that, like Paul, I believe, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Because in and of myself I will not be able to do this.
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