How I Achieved Peace in My Home In 3 Days--God Sightings

Today was an unusual day. Lazy and peaceful. Yes, peaceful. It's been a real treasure. The kids splashed in the hose, read books, practiced piano, played a little on the computer, were sweet to each other. Like I said, an unusual day. Most, this summer, have been filled whining, bickering, indignance (yes, I just made that word up) at being made to do anything remotely resembling work.

But I've made a recent discovery. The sweeter I am to them, the sweeter they are to each other. I don't mean "let them do anything they want" kinda sweet. No, no--that's the anti-April. I still keep the lines clearly marked in the sand. Still take down any who dares cross them. I just do it without the what-in-the-name-of-all-that's-sane-were-you-thinking-throwing-shredded-printer-paper-down-the-toilet?!! approach. (and yes, that really happened two days ago)

In the last three days, I haven't raised my voice to them once--a near impossibility in my own strength. Especially during summer break! Every word has been chosen with care.

I haven't gone out of my way to say or do anything special for them. Haven't bought them gifts or made them treats. No trips to park or the McDonald's play place. Nope. We've been home. I've worked on my computer, and they've been on their own doing chores, playing, or watching TV.

Have you ever heard a quiet voice in your heart and known without a doubt it was God?

On Wednesday, sitting down to lunch with the kids, out of the clear blue it happened. I heard His distinct voice whisper to me, April, aren't you tired? Tired of speaking with impatience, disdain, frustration?  You know every word counts against you, pushes them further away. One day, they won't be so quick to forgive. Why don't you do something about it? Today, now, this very moment. Stop. Just stop.

Love is patient, kind, long suffering, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, always protects, perseveres, HOPES. 1 Cor. 13

"Good plan, God," I told him. "But how? We both know I've tried it before. Many times. And failed--many times. I'll never be able to keep it up.

Don't worry about tomorrow. It'll take care of itself. All you have is this moment. Use it wisely. Lean on Me. Watch Me work.

And so, I dedicated that moment, and each one following, to God. And boy, has He worked. Not only are the kids sweet to each other, they're sweet to me. The atmosphere in our home has changed so drastically, I hardly recognize it. The kids are compliant and easy to be around. I've worked them around the house and in the yard more this week than in the last month. And yet, they've done it without question or complaint. They've obey immediately. Sound unreal? It feels unreal.

All my efforts at training and disciplining have paled in comparison to three days of unconditional kindness. Kindness when they're giving me hugs. Kindness when they're playing on my bed and dumping all the clean, folded laundry onto the floor.

But, you say, it's only Day Three. Give it time. You'll screw it up. Alas, it is only a few days in. Will I scream at my kids again? You bet. Is kindness a cure-all for every problem? No. I WILL fail, but God has shown Himself real to me this week. He's faithful. I've seen him work, just as He promised. THAT was worth it all, even if tomorrow morning I blow my top over the cheerios crunching beneath my feet on my new tile floor.

Momma is the driving force behind the mood in the home. What's the mood in your home? How do you think you might be affecting it?

This is my GOD SIGHTING today. What's yours?

Use the comments section below to tell us about it.