Sunday, September 28, 2008

My voice

Today in Sunday school we were talking about Christ's visit to the Nephites. We read a scripture that introduced God's voice to the people and the effect it had on them.

'...they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and nothwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center....it did pierce them to the very soul and did cause their hearts to burn.'

I have been contemplating disciplining my children lately. Andrew is testing his boundaries, trying to balance what happens with the other kids at school and what is appropriate. And Jacob is very demanding of my attention at home now that his big brother and playmate is gone during the day.
They are both being very rough, with each other and Michael. My patience is stretched pretty close to breaking most days. And I don't like how I feel when they don't listen or obey. And I am afraid I have been yelling too much. And the yelling isn't effective anyway. So, I am am left frustrated and still no results.
After reading this scripture for the second time today, I realized I want to strive to have the voice described in it. I know that this is not the way I think about this scripture very often. But, I was struck how I could apply it to my own life. I don't want to have to yell. I want them to know I love them. But, what I want most is the effect it has on these people.
I want to have a voice that is not harsh or loud, but one that pierces them to the very center.
So, I have found one more attribute of our Heavenly Father I would like to emulate. I have a new goal.

2 comments:

asiaelizabeth said...

That's awesome! But for me I want to emulate Mama's look. The one that mad you run away very fast!Sorry your having a rough time with your boys, hopefully the transition will be over soon and everything will settle down.

Justina Selim said...

I can relate for sure! Let me know if you figure out the secret! :->