What else are kids for?

What else are kids for, other than showing us our own blaring imperfections? Ok, I can think of a few other uses for my children, but this seems to be a big one that I keep coming back to. If I had never had children, I have a feeling I'd still be thinking more highly of myself, however disillusioned those thoughts would be. I read somewhere once, for example, parenting had turned a woman into a controlling person. The author suggested that parenting hadn't "turned" her into a controlling person, but simply brought to light what already existed.

My oldest, precious daughter seems to have a problem with being content lately. We have had numerous conversations about what the Bible says about complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14 says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may be blameless and pure children of God." In the car on the way to Grandma's house, Avery was very tired yesterday. However, all she had to do is sit in her seat and play her Leapster. She whined and complained that it was taking so long to get there and seemed utterly miserable. The best quote to share with you was when she said, "This is breaking my life!" That's my expressive, passionate, verbal child for you...

As I read in Colossians this morning, I was reminded that I've been sounding a lot like my five year-old - only my whining as been directed to the Lord. As I heard myself pray, I realized that my prayer could have been reworded into Avery's phrase - "this is breaking my life"! How great is God's patience to hear my whining and complaining prayers and still listen! How wonderful are His mercies to continue to remind me, patiently teach me, and lovingly grow me. Colossians 1:11, after the verses before talk of increasing in knowledge of God and walking in manner worthy of Him, says "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;..." What a reminder that His "glorious power" is what strengthens me to be joyfully patient! Lord, forgive me for complaining. Renew a right spirit in me and let me allow your glorious power to strengthen me today.