Other Little Boats

I've been a terrible mother.  I have done and said things so many times out of frustration and anger that I regret.  Have you ever?  I'm telling you that it I have lost it and in the wake of my storm, when all is calm, I become highly convicted about my own behavior despite the reason why I blew a fuse.  Then starts the comparison game.  I bet my friend who is so sweet and calm all the time, never talks to her kids that way.  I bet the preachers wife has never even raised her voice to her kids.  I bet my friend from college is the kind of mother that scoops her kids up and has highly effective conversations with her little ones so that they never disobey, never mess with things, never undo hard work, and always hit the laundry basket every single time.

It's amazing to me how personal God can be when I tell Him I need some great wisdom and want to learn something.  He doesn't always give me something to share with the masses, because let's face it, our deep inner soul stirring flaws are hard to admit to others.  Lately, (maybe its the hot weather) I've been hot.  Like a fire cracker ready to go off.  I will not make excuses no matter how badly I want to.  There just are none.  I have been riding on the edge for so long that it doesn't take much for me to stumble.  In case you're wondering what is keeping me on the edge I'm talking about...building a house, living in a camper, our life in boxes, 6 kids under our roof.  I'd say those things are legit edge keepers for me.

I've been reading about taming the tongue and how bitter water doesn't flow from the same spring as sweet water and all of that.  Yes, I'm hearing you Lord.  Get it under control, I know, I know.  How?  Why is this so hard?  What is wrong with me?  I have the love of Jesus don't I?  I have asked for help from the Holy Spirit?  I've prayed for self control, peace, and patience.  Still, I am finding myself at the end of rant wishing I had said things differently.  Wishing I had been more careful with my words.  The guilt weighs so heavy sometimes.
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The Other Boats Were With HIm

Mark 4:36 "Other boats were with Him... There was not one ship on the sea that evening.  The storm was affecting many boats around Him.  Other little boats received the calming of the storm too​
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The Other Boats Had The Storm

• Those little boats were on the same stormy sea as Jesus.
• Those little boats were tossed by the same storm.
• Those little boats were being filled by the wind and high waves.
• Those little boats were in danger of sinking.
• Those little boats were in the same darkness and danger.

the other boats received the calm

• Those little boats felt the winds hush.
• Those little boats laid quietly on a glassy smooth sea.
• Those little boats went from perfect storm to perfect calm.
• Those little boats benefited from the boat of Jesus.

What about Your Little Boat?

• Are you busy with your life?
• Are you busy with your work?
• Are you busy with your business?
• Are you busy with your portfolio?
• Are you busy with your farm?
• Are you busy with your vacation?
• Are you busy with your retirement?
• Are you busy with your family problems?
• Are you busy with your financial worries?

what about other Little boats?

Is your storm affecting all the other little boats around you? What is taking up all your time and energy, your attention and your resources. Do you assume it's no one else’s business what is going on inside your little boat with your little storm? Have you considered the little boats that might be following you even if you have Jesus to rest with and ask for help? What we do in our little boats has an effect on all the boats around us.
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The Little Eyes are watching,
​Little ears are listening 

After studying on this scripture and having it weighing pretty heavy on my heart something happened that reinforced what the Lord was trying to show me.

I loaded all the kids up in the car to take them to get haircuts and to the pool, but first I had to stop at the grocery store and grab a few items.  I parked the car and left the teenager in the car with all the others.  I came out to the car and before I could even get the groceries loaded one of the bigs shouted from the front, "G said a bad word while you were gone."  I took a deep breath.  Here we go.   "G, what did you say?" which is probably the wrong thing to ask, but before he could even think of a clever answer or even tell me what he said his brothers piped up again.   "He said, %^&* is a bad word."  Well, at least he knows.  

Sadly, I can't say "Where did you hear that?" because God knows I know I have said it.  I have said it in complete anger and I have said it in front of my kids.  The thing is, he shouldn't have said it.  However, I felt deep in me that I was be reminded that it is indeed a bad word that shouldn't be shared even by adults.  It was an even bigger reminder that I am going to be the reason this child stumbles.  I am going to be the reason he goes to Pre-K and says something he shouldn't.  I just pray I can have enough grace to help him understand that not only should he not say it, but that I shouldn't either.  

The words that come out of my mouth speak strongly of my character.  Not only the words, but how I say words.  You can curse some up and down and never say an ugly word.  Just the  posture of your heart and the tone of your words can undo your integrity.  I realize we live in a world where freedom of speech of whatever is acceptable.  I realize you can love Jesus and cuss a little too.  I just don't believe for a second that it is for myself or my family.  Mostly, I just want more kind words and kind acts to be overflowing from this family rather than such a deep harshness towards situations and people, especially each other.
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What does Jesus Say?

During His walk on this earth there came a time when the disciples wanted to know who the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven was. (Matthew 18:1). Jesus then called a child up and sat that child right in from of them (Matthew 18:2-6) and told them we all need to be like "little children" to even enter the Kingdom. We are to be humble like a child. The humble are who the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. He goes on to say "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." WHOA
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Parents, Do You Hear Him?

Our children are like the little boats all around us in our sea of life.  They are smart little ones with ears that hear and eyes that see.  What do they see in you?  What do they hear from you? They didn't come to this world by choice or even get to choose us as parents.  We are the adults and we have the responsibility to show them how to be their best selves. What we do affects their lives and their eternity.

Go back up and take account of your little boat.  What is keeping you busy, causing you stress, negatively affecting your life?  Isn't it also affecting theirs?  If our children are lost eternally then it is better that we drown.  That's how significant your behavior is to your children.  

Be careful little ears what you hear.
Be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.

Check your habits, check your boats.
"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself."  Romans 14:7
What you do matters and it's everyones business how you influence your little boats.
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What Would Jesus Do?

It was simple....Jesus calmed the sea and as a result the others in the boat, as well as all the surrounding boats, received the blessing of a peaceful ride.  We all have an influence.  If you wonder what the world is coming to, check yourself and your influence on those who look up to you.