Parenting is a Reflection of Your Heart

     I remember growing up my momma always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all," "Actions speak louder than words," or she would recite the Golden Rule.  At one point or another (ok, let me be honest, probably about every time) I probably rolled my eyes when she quoted these wise words to me.  I didn't understand it then, but my mom was starting to prepare my heart for Christ and for the world. 

    When your heart is right with God, parenting doesn't seem so challenging as a whole.  Notice I didn't say that every day would be easy.  However, it does help us grow, smooth out our rough edges, and breathe a little easier.  

     So how do you know you have a heart that is right for God?  Here is what I have learned from my own personal growth with Christ and experience....

1. TRUST - When life hands you lemons, you trust that God is going to use them in your life.  You don't go and make lemonade on your own cause when you do, you take away your trust in God.  Instead, you sit back, breathe, and listen to God. 
2. RESPECT - "How you treat one another in the home influences how our children will someday treat their roommates, their coworkers, their future spouses, and their own children" (Be the Mom, Tracey Eyster).  Let's take this a step farther, how you treat anyone in general shows a reflection of your heart.    Proverbs 14:1 tells us, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands [and mouth] the foolish one tears hers down."
3. MINDFUL - As we mature, we become more mindful in our thinking.  I went to a seminar about DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to help clients learn about mindfulness.  The history of DBT and the underlying concepts of the theory help me as a mom today.  We need to have a equal grasp of reality and emotions.  If we let our emotions dictate how we parent, we are not going to parent effectively. 
4. GRATITIDUE - Tracey Eyster has written a book called, "Be the Mom"...and let me tell you she has a way with words.  Here is what she says about gratitude, "Having a heart of gratitude is essential in the life of mom, and practicing gratitude transforms our hearts from being self-focused to being God-focused.  That focus is a wonderful attribute to pass along to our children; grateful children are contented no matter their circumstances."  I don't think I could have said any of that any better. 

    There are plenty more attributes we could add to this list but reality is that one of them would fit underneath one of the ones already listed.  How we interact with each other in the home is a reflection of our hearts.  How we interact with others in various settings (social, church, restaurant, etc) is a reflection of your heart.  Are you happy with what your heart is reflecting?  Does it mirror Christ?  Are there areas you need to work on?   I know that there are several I need to do better with!