My son made me bust out laughing the other day.
We were talking about how important it is to “own up” and admit when we’ve done something wrong. It might have been an accident, or we might have purposefully swung our arm to hit sister in the face (playfully), but we still have to own up to our actions.
This applies to our faith as well. Our conversation was a great teachable moment to share how, I’m not just telling Christopher that he has to admit stuff to Mommy and Daddy. We all need to confess our mess ups (aka, sin) to God. When Mommy and Daddy mess up, we have to confess to God and to each other. Sometimes Mommy gets impatient and upset, you know?
Oh, he knows.
Christopher, who is 8 years old, told me, “Mom, this is just like when you get “crunchy”. Sometimes, you’re crunchy (synomyms: crabby, cranky, pms-y). But then sometimes you get “boily”. Like a boiling pot (and then he acted out the boiling pot going crazy, arms waving over head, water bubbling over the pot.) It’s like Unikitty, Mom. You get like Unikitty.”
In case you don’t have lego-loving children and you haven’t seen The Lego Movie, there is a character who is sugar, spice and everything nice. Everything is awesome, positive, bubbly, wonderful, butterflies & sweetness. That is until Unikitty loses it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wdzFZrmba4]
It’s hilarious! We loved that part in the movie! And I’m sort of happy that my son is able to joke (sort of) about how Mommy loses it.
But I don’t want to lose it. I lost it the other day. It was a tantrum high above “crunchy” level. I went full blown Unikitty on my poor kids.
I read “Unglued” by Lysa Terkeurst. It’s about how we can stop becoming unglued and going “Unikitty” on our families. Because isn’t that the truth? We’re calm and collected for the world, but those closest to us get the “yuck” of our emotions.
Help us, Lord.
The good news is that He does help us. I’ve prayed more times than I can count for God to help me be a better wife and mom. A more patient, loving and kind woman, known for her love.
And thank God, like Lysa says, I am making imperfect progress. At church, Pastor Alfonso shared about how, in addition to prayer, we need to be like athletes or soldiers in training. Give it your ALL to God. Pray harder, Read the Bible deeper. If I’m not sweating, my life isn’t changing, I’m not giving it my all.
It’s not about pharisee-style discipline. This has love at the core. I am nothing without God. I love Him and I need Him. I know that. Now, I just have to live like that more.
If we truly need God, are we in constant, regular communication with Him? He’s here all the time! Why do we live like He’s far away? He’s right here!
I’m a work in progress. And thank God, next time I feel the bubbles start to build in the pot, or I start to feel like Unikitty, I don’t have to wait for a parenting book, seminar or church service. I can cry out to God right then and there, and ask for help.
Hopeful and expectant of change,
Coppelia