Everly and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

“Children pick up on our emotions, and our moods, as moms, set the tone for the whole household.”

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,” Ephesians 5:15 ESV

When you’re going about your day how are you “walking”? Are you choosing the wise path, to be an imitator of God, walking in love? 

I remember a particularly stressful, crazy, frantic morning when my oldest daughter was in kindergarten. I don’t remember details but I remember it was probably the first time we had a stressful morning since she started school, so it was new ground for me. When I’m stressed, emotions are heated, I’m quick to anger, quick to be annoyed and quick to snap. I’m also very slow to cool down. It was true then, 5 years ago, and it’s still true now. 

That morning, I had not walked in love or imitated God. 

I dropped my daughter off at school and went about my day. Toward the end of the school day I received a message from her teacher that said she seemed to have had a rough day, and had broken down in tears over something minor. 

I felt horrible. My emotions, and my reactions to those emotions, had affected my daughter’s whole day. My stinky mood, harsh tone and angry words had made it difficult for her to have her normal reactions to the things going on around her. It made her “walk” unwise, as mine had been. 

Negative reactions to stress are something I struggle with as a mom. But I know it’s so important for me to die to my own sinful flesh and be an imitator of God in these moments. Children pick up on our emotions, and our moods, as moms, set the tone for the whole household. I don’t want my children to have these angry, frustrated outbursts when things get tense. I want them to be imitators of God too. 

For that reason we must be diligent to be Christ-like, walking in love, not in anger, stress, annoyance or frustration. Our “walks” through our days need to be filled with wise choices, choosing to be more like Jesus, and less like ourselves. 

Action Steps:

• If you struggle to stay Christ-like in stressful moments, you’re not alone. Emotions are normal and it’s ok to react to the world around you. Practice making the (difficult) choice to walk in love instead of getting frustrated. Remember, there is always grace when you mess up. Apologize and try again. It will get easier. 

• Reflect: What triggers your harshness or anger? Is it frantic mornings like me? Is it when you’ve forgotten something? When you’re overstimulated? Figuring out triggers can be a step toward avoiding those stressful situations all together. For me, it’s making sure I have systems in place that make it so I don’t have to do EVERYTHING in the morning before school. 

• Just for a reminder, read Galatians 5:22-23. 

Written by Cathrine, mom of 4, choosing the wise path