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Women Living Well Blog: The 30 Day Gentleness Challenge

Women Living Well Blog

Friday, April 24, 2009

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!

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8 Comments:

Blogger kimmy said...

Since Tuesday I've been working on this is as well and I feel more calm in general. I'm generally not a yeller but sometimes I let myself get too upset and then it just comes out loud and mean. It seems she is responding to a quiet calm voice better anyway! So I guess a gentle answer does turn away wrath. I'm praying I can keep this up!

April 24, 2009 at 8:26 AM  
Blogger Kelly said...

I am reading the Duggar's book right now (thanks for sharing it Courtney)and it is really helpful to see someone with such a calm gentle spirit. Yesterday was really a challenge but just as I could feel the frustration welling up my knight in shining armor pulled in and somehow the kids straightened right up. This challenge has been a real eye opener to the battle between my flesh and the spirit!

April 24, 2009 at 9:01 AM  
Blogger The Fox Den said...

This is such a great reminder for me. I'm planning to give Proverbs 15:1 an object (like a square) and a specific color and then I'll place a few squares throughout the house so the kids and I both will see the object and remember the verse throughout the month. Thanks!

April 24, 2009 at 9:52 AM  
Blogger Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

Fox Den - great idea to use a symbol in the home - then maybe the following month you could switch the character quality you are working on but leave the symbols up to remind you of that new thing you are working on! The Duggars have worked on 50 Character qualities - 4-6 weeks at a time - and it SHOWS!

Kimmy and Mom24 - I'm with ya both - keep pressing on!!! I'm praying for you!!

April 24, 2009 at 7:38 PM  
Anonymous Jenny said...

Hi. I'm just here visiting your site, and I have to say, I like it a lot. You have some great stuff to check out. So, I invite you to come check out my site. I would love to have you over. :D

April 26, 2009 at 3:39 PM  
Blogger Jena Webber said...

Amazing! 3 days. I'm not sure I would last 3 hours.. and that's with half of them napping. Good girl. Thanks for coming to my blog. My Mom is awesome, and she loves the Lord too! Fun blog you have!

April 26, 2009 at 11:53 PM  
Blogger Ice Cream Lady said...

I know you did this a while ago, but I'm joining now. I have always been described by others as a patient person, easy going, nothing gets me too ruffled. I clung to those descriptions as if the words could make it so. NOT! Now I have kids and an unconventional home life that stirs up my impatience more often than I'd like, and things are not going so easy, and I get really ruffled and my loved ones pay!! Yuck, I don't want to be like that at all. So your challenge is wonderful for me, plus I love love love Michelle Duggar! Would it be ok if I link back to this post on my blog and keep accountable to my readers that way. Mine is just a family blog, but I think my sister & SIL might like to read your stuff too.

December 8, 2009 at 12:50 AM  
Blogger Carrie said...

so convicted about this. Thanks for the challenge even a year later.

April 14, 2010 at 4:48 PM  

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