Training in Progress

I had one of those days with my children where, by the end of the evening, my hair was sticking on end like Animal from the Muppets and I could not make one coherent sentence. After loosing my cool a handful of times, I put the boys to bed and reminded myself, “joy comes in the morning.” Once I had regained a regular pulse rate, my husband lovingly pointed out that I was not being kind to my oldest son. I was in fact being a bit too hard on him. It was suggested that I try to be “kind.”

I went to bed angry – for such a “Christian mom,” I sure was having a tough time with the fruit of the spirit!  Why was kindness impossible when I live in a house with two wonderful blessings?  I cried  out, “God make me kind.”  The next morning before anyone woke up (which is unusual because unlike the Proverbs 31 woman – I am the last to rise) I sought out God and asked, “What does it take to be kind?”

I looked up “kind” in my concordance and Titus 2:4-5 states that younger women are not only to love their children, but also to be kind. I know many moms do not have this problem loving their children and being kind – but it obviously was not happening easily for for me.

I know this verse very well, but what stood out mostly that morning was the word “train.” It was pointed out that these younger women were to be trained because it does not happen naturally! We have to be trained to love our husbands, to love our children, to be self-controlled, pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and submissive.

I feel like I’m doing a ton of “on the job” training. Training is not a once over, been there done that, or try it one time for free. I have to remember training requires a regular routine.

Webster’s definition of train is: to form by instruction, discipline, or drill.

Potty training comes to mind – it did not happen overnight. Oh how I wish it did. My first born did not want anything to do with the potty, because he was too busy playing. I bought a potty and we put stickers all over the thing! He would not go near it. We put a small potty seat on the big potty and he refused to sit on it. Finally we put a ping pong ball in the potty and told him to “go shoot it.” (eventually starburst won out sitting on the potty – I’m sure the baby books love that!)

The potty was never a priority for him. It took months of training, but thankfully it finally worked! 5 years later I do not have to remind him, ask him, or double check to make sure he knows what he’s doing. It became routine.

I need to be trained to love my children and be kind – so it becomes routine!! Sure it’s easy to love and be kind when they are perfectly well behaved angels – but God blessed me with two boys!

Somehow the training of younger women has ended and we’re a do-it-yourself, make-it-on-your-own, just-medicate-the-kids, don’t-call-home-unless-you-have-good-news parenting generation. God is showing me if I want to break this cycle I’m going to need training! I am so incredibly grateful His Word provides it!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

-2 Timothy 3:16-17

Stef is the spunk behind Layton Family Joy. She lives with her wonderful husband and two boys in Florida where they love living life outdoors, playing sports and board games, and homeschooling. Stef enjoys encouraging women by sharing her transparent stories of seeking Christ, falling down, and praising Him while getting back up, followed by eating lots of chocolate. The family attends Harvest Bible Chapel and Stef serves in the children’s ministry.

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