Criss, Cross, Crash

My boys, I mean, young men that the Lord has given my husband and I the priviledge of raising will have birthdays this month. One turns, 15, and one turns 20. Where have the years gone? With each birthday we celebrate, we start new and exciting chapters in our lives.

We began one new chapter last Monday. High School. We have been through high school once already. (Well, 3 times if you count David and I). High School for Justin began 5 years ago, and I have forgottten many things, namely, the TRAFFIC. We leave our home at about 7:10 a.m. and drive within a few hundred yards of the school and SIT. We then creep along at a snails pace, and thirty minutes later, we drop him off at the front door to the school. Patience with traffic is not my strong suit, well, let's be honest, not my suit at all. And so I fuss and fume, aloud. I talk about how this driver cuts line and how that driver speeds, and how that other driver is out of control. And we get to the top of the hill and cars are going everywhere. And before its all over with, Jordan and I are yelling at each other. Not good at all. Not the last words I need to be saying to my son. I have become a stumbling block to Jordan. My fussing and complaining tells Jordan its ok for him to fume and fuss.

And this made me think about how I should be silent regarding other times I am 'unhappy'. Like situations at work or at church. I open my mouth and spew out unkind words or complaints that others might not have, I am releasing thoughts and planting seeds that may otherwise not be there. When I speak at inappropriate times and in inappropriate ways, I am a stumbling block to others.

Many times David has shared with me problems that have come up at church and most times he will talk about the situation, but will not mention names. That protects me from looking down on someone or having hard feelings toward them. David is not throwing stumbling blocks in my way.

There will be problems that arise that need to be discussed in the appropriate manner and with the appropriate people.

But for our drive to school I need not fuss and complain and become a stumbling block for my son. I want it to be a positive time for us and I want to set a good example for him.

At (almost) 15, he is too old to play with blocks, so I will try to not throw any his way.

Blessing,
DartyPartyMom

"Do 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."