Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Snap (09/04/08)
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TITLE: Snap-Crackle-Pop! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kristi Peifer
09/04/08 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My husband has a quick wit and often brightens my day with his own unique brand of humor. On occasion, however, he uses his laughter-inducing superpowers for a dastardly little exercise he likes to refer to as “winding her up and watching her spin.” Something that started out as a joke swiftly begins to unnerve me, and before I know it, SNAP! A verbal return fire comes flying out of my mouth.
One of the greatest blessings in my life is being a mother. I have two boys—two wonderful boys! Two wonderful, BUSY, ACTIVE boys! My boys, like all young boys, know how to push Mama’s buttons. Oh, they don’t always mean to, but the inevitable happens. I can only handle so many of my 7-year-old’s “Maaaaaaaammmmmmma!” or “Where’s my homework?!” or “Eww, I don’t want to eat that!” before CRACKLE!—the veneer of motherly patience breaks down into a few dozen itty bitty pieces. Add to that the incessant climbing of my 4-year-old, followed by his brother’s cry of, “Mom, he’s on top of the refrigerator again!” and POP!—every last visage of patience disappears.
The Proverbs are full of admonitions against letting our buttons be pushed. Proverbs 17:27 (NIV) says, “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Gulp! Swallow that with your morning coffee! Right along with that is Proverbs 14:29 (NIV), “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Uh oh. Have I really tried to understand where my husband and children are coming from? Have I put myself in their shoes and responded with the compassion I would want to receive?
Each day is a new opportunity to focus on the gifts God has blessed me with—a husband who loves to laugh, a son who is bright and inquisitive, and another son who is strong and healthy! Praising God for these blessings is the best way I know to disarm my temper—and save the fireworks display for my breakfast cereal!
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I get the message though, and that's what's important.
May God bless and keep you writing!
Sincerely,
Dan Blankenship
Good devotional here. Well done!
Just a thought: I would have liked more showing and less telling. SHOW me a scene where your son climbs on the fridge and your other son is asking a million questions. Put me in the scene. OR put me at a breakfast where your husband "winds you up!" That would be such fun.
Again, good job and great word choices.
You told so much truth in this, and I appreciate you sharing it with us all.
I don't know if you are new to the challenge, but I look forward to seeing more entries from you in the future. :)