Plan A MOM: MODEL NOT being OVERLY CONTROLLING, but Rather Trusting God & His Ways | Debbie Taylor Williams

Let’s face it: we moms are so used to juggling all the pieces of our lives and our family’s lives—organizing, coordinating, making sure everyone’s taken care of—that it’s easy to slip over the line and control a little more than we should. But where, exactly, is that line? How do you know when you’ve gone over to the dark side—when you’ve become one of “those” moms? Sarai, who convinced Abraham to sleep with Hagar, is an example of an overly controlling mom and wife. She accomplished an immediate goal, but the result was devastating. Rather than follow her example, how better it would be for us to learn from it. You can model living your faith out loud by modeling not leaning on your own understanding, but rather trusting God and His higher ways.

LANDMINE: BEING OVERLY CONTROLLING

CHARACTERISTICS OF OVERLY CONTROLLING MOMS

Shifting into “Make Things Happen” Mode

Treating People Like Objects

Using God’s Words to Justify Behavior

DANGERS of BEING CONTROLLING

Being Despised

Blaming Others

Becoming More Controlling

Burdening Others

BIBLICAL SOLUTIONS for the CONTROLLING NATURE

Proverbs 3:5-6

-Take Your Thoughts to God.

-Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

-In All Your Ways Acknowledge God

We do our kids a favor when we model going to God in prayer rather than reacting to life’s situations.

>Plans are disrupted. “Let’s pray about what we should do.”

>Austin doesn’t get into the class he wants. “Let’s ask God to show us why the class you’re in is the right place for you.”

>Kerri doesn’t make the team. “Let’s pray and ask God what sport or activity you might do instead.”

MORE 2 HELP U

Factors that Contribute to Our Being Controlling p 78

READ THIS! An Interview with Thelma Wells about Her Daughter, p 81.

LIVE OUT LOUD CHECK-UP, p 84

LOVE OUT LOUD Questions to Discuss with a Friend/Group, p 85

TIP of the WEEK

Defuse the land mine of being overly controlling by trusting God with your child and practicing Proverbs 3:5-6.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

When Morgan was about three, I decided to try the disciplinary methold of lightly spanking with a wooden spoon when she needed correcting. One morning we were in the kitchen together and I said, “Morgan, this is a wooden spoon and when you need correcting for something, I’m going to lightly tap you on your hand with this spoon.” She said, “Oh, no, Mommy, that spoon isn’t for panking – it’s for ‘tirring!” Needelss to say, I found a different kind of discpline. – Jeri Sprouse”

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the reminder that Your ways are higher than my ways. Help me to trust You rather than lean on my own understanding. Help me let go of the minor things and major in that which has eternal value. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me new opportunities with You and my children. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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