Lent is Upon Us

So, Lent is just a few days away.  I think way too often people give something up for Lent but it doesn't mean anything.  I've tried it a few times myself - not necessarily as a show of sacrifice or to grow a closer relationship to Christ, but because it's just what you did.  Often I'd give up candy or soda only to forget my commitment and consume whatever it was within the first few days of Lent.  This year, I'm taking a different route.

Personally, I'm working my way through the book by Nina Roesner, The Respect Dare - 40 Days to a Deeper Connection with God and Your Husband.  I believe this will bring me a closer relationship to Christ more effectively than simply giving something up.  It requires more doing than not doing.  A journey that requires my involvement and thought.  And who can argue with an improved husband/wife relationship!

On a family level, I'm still undecided.  I like the idea of a 'Kindness Container' that a friend at church is doing with her family.  Write nice, encouraging things about each other and put them in a jar.  If there is fighting or a negative situation, we have to turn it around to something positive and put that in the jar.  Then at the end of Lent (wouldn't it be cool to do this on Easter Sunday) - read all the encouraging things we've written about each other.  My only concern with this is resistance from the boys.  Will it become more of a fight than a lesson in encouragement and love?  Is that fight worth it?  What do we do if the boys refuse to play their part?  The other option as a family is to put all the prayer requests from church into a basket and choose one each day and pray for that person as a family at dinner.  I think this would be a great way to turn our hearts to others.

I would really love to see my family grow in Christ during this season.

Whining - Angry - Children -

Where do I even start.  I've been dealing with my son's angry outbursts for so long it feels like they've always been there.  I've tried ignoring, I've tried consequences, I've tried rewarding good attitude.  All to no avail. 

We went for a Neurophsyc consultation yesterday.  The Doc says - "Well I don't think he has a developmental disease like Aspergers or Autism, but we need to do some testing to find out what's going on in his brain."  He went on to explain that sometimes it's just poor parenting - wow now that sure made my day.  How many different reward, consequence, love & logic, cards, blah blah blah blah blah systems have I tried in an attempt to raise responsible children? 

Some of what he said was true - the boys know we're tired at the end of the day, and don't always follow through.  I feel like sometimes I can't remember what I said the consequence would be, or don't have time to give the reward when it should be given.  It doesn't help that the Hub & I are usually off in 2 separate directions.  He's over-the-top "you're grounded for life" and I'm trying to keep some sanity in the place. 

Now we wait for testing - not until 4 March (not really sure what we're supposed to do between then & now) and for the results - on 18 March.  I feel like we'll never have an answer or a way to have respectful, loving children. 

I truly love my children, and I only want the best for them - but I feel like I'm fighting a never ending battle.  Lord please give me strength and patience and let me love as you love me!