Go here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Dear friends,

I have received such an outpouring of letters from you telling me that you needed to hear this message.  Here is a small sampling of what I have heard this week:

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Lovely.  Thanks for sharing.  We do have to be so careful with our words, looks, tone of voice, and expressions.  Thanks for the reminder.

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Malia,
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this!! You so speak to my heart.  I LOVE my children dearly but I have been guilty of what you covered here.  I tend to get so overwhelmed that I lose sight of my focus.  Which is JESUS & His purpose & plan for my life & that of my children.  Not to make excuses because I know there is no good ones for sin, but I very rarely get a break & I have hardly any godly friends with whom I can pour out my heart to without being judged.  I too come from quite a background & believe with all my heart that our past is an important testimony to share to help others who are in bondage to the lies of the enemy.  Thanks for helping me get back on track!
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This blessed me so much! I thought when I was reading it that you knew me-I do the same things with my special one. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention. Keep it coming!!
So, again, thank you for being REAL. The Lord saves real people who sin…AMEN!

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Thanks for sending this to me.  You nailed my behavior, as I too “joke” about selling my kids, getting a break, etc.  I never really thought of my behavior as being ungodly.  I need to take a closer look at how I treat my beloved children.

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There were many other letters, some deeply personal, and I know many families are being ministered to through this series.  Thank you for letting me share frankly with you, and for accepting me- just another Mom like you who struggles to learn and accept my God-given responsibilities daily.

As a more in-depth review, here is a summary of the entire lesson, in case you would like all the scriptures together in one place.

S-Stop the sarcasm, joking, and belittling of any of my children

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

T-truth- Speak only the absolute Truth from God’s Word about the child.

• Psalm 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
• Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
• Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.
• Psalm 139: ¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

O- Overhaul your mind to a new way of thinking and acting

• Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

P- Philippians 4:8 Test ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

If you are in need of additional resources on this topic, I have the following suggestions:

Teaching the Difficult Child MP3-audio recording of the workshop

Teaching the Difficult Child CD-audio recording of the workshop

Loving and Teaching the Difficult Child– Beverly Bradley

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Hard!– Beverly Bradley

Warrior Mother:  Fighting FOR the Kids, not WITH them.

Again, thank you for the privilege  of sharing this message with you.  I pray your families will be blessed and you will continue to grow in grace and faith.

Also read The Easily Distracted Child or the ADHD child

You may also want to read the following article on Teaching the Difficult Child – Help My Daughter is Twelve! – Reader Question