Busted!

I recently took my kids on a field trip and we started off on the wrong foot. I would blame it on the two year old except that would imply that I allow him to control my actions and attitudes.  So, I guess I have to claim this one myself… a hard truth to swallow.

My son behaved perfectly for the hour-and-a-half drive, but morphed into an obstinate, defiant, (but still very cute) little boy as soon as we exited the car.  However, the cute factor wasn’t working for him that day because he’d played that card a few too many times in recent days. 

I, on the other hand, the supposed adult in charge of the situation, was brought to my knees in frustration by his behavior.  I was ready to explode.  Words were slipping through my gritted teeth as I desperately tried to control myself.  My other two children weren’t sure what was wrong, but knew something was amiss as I kept mumbling and walking from place to place trying to dodge the crowd.  I desperately needed a breath of fresh air and to calm myself.  I could feel the pressure mounting and couldn’t find an exit door.

And then it happened…

An unexpected smiling, friendly face that I recognized appeared out of nowhere.  I felt like I had been caught.  I was about to throw a fit as a result of my son’s behavior when I ran into this mom who lived in the neighboring state.  Luckily, I was able to laugh and tell her what was happening, trusting that as another mother of a two year old son, she understood.  She happily reported that her son was with a friend instead of joining the field trip. She completely understood, and planned accordingly.

The point is that some days we don’t measure up to our best.   I’m thankful that I ran into this friend before my behavior escalated from bad to worse.  My impatience with my son was really about me, not him. He’s two!  My job as a mom is to teach him (lovingly) how to act and behave.  I want to model good behavior for him, not mirror his.

It’s important for us to surround ourselves with supportive friends and mentors who will encourage us to be our best and to help point us back on track when we lose our step. And if we’re lucky, they may even arrive on the scene at just the perfect time. Fortunately, we serve a loving and forgiving Father who was able to pour out an extra helping of His grace and mercy on me that day.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

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