Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
DISCIPLINE, CHARACTER, and HOPE: When our children suffer, whether from their own bad choices or those of someone else, we want so badly to rescue them from the pain or to tell them how to avoid finding themselves in that predicament again. But, God has another plan — to perfect them through their trials. Character-building lessons are rarely learned from the triumphs of life. Rather, it is the trials in our lives that teach us how to persevere despite the pain. Taking trials away from our kids deprives them of the chance to grow, build character, and learn to hope in God.
The best character-building lessons are learned from trials. Don't inhibit your child's growth by rescuing them from or taking over difficult situations.
Wow, this is such powerful information and I am thankful for the reminder this morning! Although we are not at the stage where we let Madison make "bad" choices, I do see the relevance in our own life. We have been a living testament to this scripture since Madison was born (and even before). We started fighting for her life well over a year before she was even conceived, through conception, birth, and throughout the duration of her life. Sometimes (and please know that I adore Madison and this needs to be read with the utmost sensitivity) I feel like it is always a struggle with her. I let my emotions get the better of me and pout and wish that some days it was easier. I look around and see the babies born after her and I look at the parents and they seem to be filled with utter joy since day 1. We have that as well, but we have had to fight some pretty tough battles which has shaped us into the parents that we are (and I don't think we are half bad). You see Madison delivery was perfect, and for the first 2 weeks of her life she was the perfect child, but then around week 3-4 she developed colic. Want to talk about a stressful situation...Not only did Madison scream EVERY night from 9-12 she was also allergic to milk which we did not find out until month 4. She cried every day and all day. In addition to the crying, she napped for only 40 minutes at a time and it was way beyond more than I ever thought I could handle. She was not happy in the least bit and honestly neither were we.
I look back upon that season of such despair for our sweet girl and I think to myself, "how in the world did we ever get through this." "How do we have the happiest kid in the world who does nothing but smile from ear to ear?" I look back and see just how God used those months of trials to shape the mother that I am now. I am more patient than I have ever been in my life and I am more aware of her overall needs. I am still shocked that I even survived, because it was anything short of easy. Glory be to God for hope that we now have and the joy that illuminates through both of us for Madison.
The best character-building lessons are learned from trials. Don't inhibit your child's growth by rescuing them from or taking over difficult situations.
Wow, this is such powerful information and I am thankful for the reminder this morning! Although we are not at the stage where we let Madison make "bad" choices, I do see the relevance in our own life. We have been a living testament to this scripture since Madison was born (and even before). We started fighting for her life well over a year before she was even conceived, through conception, birth, and throughout the duration of her life. Sometimes (and please know that I adore Madison and this needs to be read with the utmost sensitivity) I feel like it is always a struggle with her. I let my emotions get the better of me and pout and wish that some days it was easier. I look around and see the babies born after her and I look at the parents and they seem to be filled with utter joy since day 1. We have that as well, but we have had to fight some pretty tough battles which has shaped us into the parents that we are (and I don't think we are half bad). You see Madison delivery was perfect, and for the first 2 weeks of her life she was the perfect child, but then around week 3-4 she developed colic. Want to talk about a stressful situation...Not only did Madison scream EVERY night from 9-12 she was also allergic to milk which we did not find out until month 4. She cried every day and all day. In addition to the crying, she napped for only 40 minutes at a time and it was way beyond more than I ever thought I could handle. She was not happy in the least bit and honestly neither were we.
I look back upon that season of such despair for our sweet girl and I think to myself, "how in the world did we ever get through this." "How do we have the happiest kid in the world who does nothing but smile from ear to ear?" I look back and see just how God used those months of trials to shape the mother that I am now. I am more patient than I have ever been in my life and I am more aware of her overall needs. I am still shocked that I even survived, because it was anything short of easy. Glory be to God for hope that we now have and the joy that illuminates through both of us for Madison.
*And thank you all who helped us get through the dismal season. Your love, support, time, and overall caring spirit helped us be the parents that we are today! You know who you are and we love you :)
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