A Happy Heart

"It's my way or an angry fit will be thrown!" I'm pretty sure this was my son's motto for the day. He may not have voiced those exact words, but his actions and attitude were stating it very clearly. Time after time I went through these steps: Correct, Discipline, Remind him to change his attitude/behavior.

After what seemed like the 5000th time of repeating these steps, it dawned on me! I was leaving out the most crucial and exciting part of the "formula".

Was correction necessary? Yes! Was Discipline necessary? Yes! Did he need to be reminded to change his attitude/behavior? Yes! But the part I forgot to share with my boy is the fact that none of the change can come from him just trying harder!!

I went in to my upset son and talked with him and prayed with him that Jesus would change his angry heart to a happy heart. It was there, kneeling beside a toddler bed, that I finally took the time to explain to him that he can't do it on his own. Jesus died on the cross to take away all of his sins, sins like an angry heart.

We can't just have a "try harder" attitude toward our sin! It will never be enough. But what is enough... Christ's sacrifice on our behalf!!! I'm not going to say that it wasn't a very hard day for my son (and me). But I am so very grateful that the Lord was faithful to remind me of my need for Him. And that I was given an opportunity to share that with my son as well.