The 30 Day Gentleness Challenge

This past Tuesday in my women's Bible study we had a long discussion about one specific fruit of the Spirit that convicted me deeply: gentleness. Most of the women in our study are moms of little ones and we all agreed that in the midst of the chaos in our homes it is difficult to handle every situation in a gentle manner.

I just finished reading Michelle Duggar's book (a mother of 18 children) and one of the things that I had journaled from the book was how she remains gentle despite 18 reasons to lose her temper! She said she follows Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." When Michelle feels tempted to yell she purposely takes her voice down to almost a whisper. She has also given her children permission to correct her when she starts to raise her voice.

Out of this discussion the "30 Day Gentleness Challenge" was born amidst my accountability group - the "Good Morning Girls." We all agree that we struggle regularly with raising our voices to be heard by our little ones! Between the 5 of us we have 15 children and one in the womb and we really need accountability in this area.

So for the next 30 days we are daily reporting to each other whether we had victory or defeat each day via email. We are tallying the days and the mommy who has the most days of gentleness will win a little prize!

So I told the children yesterday what mommy is doing and my sweet son said to his sister "this means we have to behave so mommy can win!" That's my boy!!!! I'm loving the support! Then I told the children they have my permission to correct me when they see me starting to not act in a gentle manner - you should have heard the giggles - they loved that idea!

So I'm off -today is day 3 of the "Gentleness Challenge" - so far - so good (and I have one child sitting in time out beside me at the moment - I'm being tested!) - but I know that Satan has some schemes up his sleeve - so I'm walking in the Spirit and praying my way through the month!

If there are any older mommies out there who have some words of wisdom for us send them my way! Or if you are a mother who struggles in this area and you'd like to join me for the 30 day challenge - leave me your email address (or email me) and I will hold you accountable once a week for the next 4 weeks via email!

Remember Proverbs 31:26 says "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue." And yelling at a bud won't make it bloom!!!

Walk with the King!

Don't foget to enter the giveaway for the children's Bible today!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/