RELYING ON PRAYER—RIGHT NOW!

Lisa Whittaker

Since both Russ and I have full-time jobs, we've learned to balance the household chores and our parenting by working as a team. For example, there are times when one of us just needs a break from whatever is going on, and the other person is able to step in and give the other one some time to regroup. Then we can both come at the situation with a fresh perspective.

As kids often do, our little girls, aged three and six, sometimes try to antagonize each other—and arguments break out. Or just individually they do something they shouldn't. One way we've found to help them when problems arise is to ask them to go to a quiet spot in the house to calm down and take some time to talk with God. Even at their young ages, they've learned from Sunday School that God loves them and that they were created to be loving, too.

We've found this time by themselves helps them be more caring and affectionate to each other. We're teaching them to be still and listen for God's directions and thoughts, rather than telling God what they want Him to do for them. And it has never failed that they return from their quiet time with a new view and ready to be more loving.

Russ and I also have learned to take time out from the daily grind to spend our own time with God. Sometimes this can mean just a quick mental plea as I'm on the fly, "Please, Father, show me what to do or say right now." Or, "Help me handle this, please!" Just praying this kind of one-line prayer calms me down because I've learned from past experience that God really won't fail me. And I trust that He's right there with me and that I will be guided as to what the next right thing to do or say will be.

This is also what I do in the classroom when I'm teaching. Sometimes when the kids aren't able to control their own behavior, I just quickly pray to better see them as the beloved children of God. This realization helps me become more grounded and deal with behavior problems in a much more caring and effective way. No matter what the stressful situation—whether at home or in the classroom or anywhere else—I've learned that by relying on God in these kinds of ways, I will always have the patience and compassion to meet every situation calmly and lovingly.

Lisa Whittaker

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