Recently I did have an experience that has made me bow my head in momma guilt-laden shame.
It started when one of our kids was being treated poorly by another. Not bullying, just not … nice. Mother Hen stepped in and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck whenever I heard that kid’s name. I was angry! Then one day, while praying that God would protect my child’s heart from this kid, I felt compelled to pray for
the other kid.
That stopped me dead in my praying tracks! That couldn’t have been a prodding from the heavens to lay the nasty kid at the feet of God!
Then Matthew 5:44 raced through my heart,
“love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.”
Now, I might be able to pray for those who persecute me,
but my kids?!
Yet, I heard it, loud and clear,
and so I started to pray for this kid.
I’ve been doing it for over two months now,
and guess what,
I’m starting to like this kid,
and
they are more … nice to my child.
As a matter of fact, I have started to get to know this kid better, and am praying for them more specifically …
as though I care about them!
And I do.
My child likes this person, and now, I do too.
So, has the kid actually changed?
Or have I changed in how I see this person?
