Christian Living

The Auto-Correct 

April 12, 2016

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Hi! I'm Meg! It's great to meet you! Let's unlock the joy to found in everyday life, together! 

Meet Meg

“I DIDN’T SAY THAT!!!!” One sister yelled.

“YESSSSSSS YOUUUUUUU DIIIIIIIID-AAAAAAAA,” the other retorted.

“WELL THEN YOU HEARD ME WRRRRROOOONNNGGGG-AAAAAA,” she snapped back.

“Ugh,” I sighed, listening to them pile frustrated syllables on top of simple words, “they’ve BOTH gotten that from me.”

Faces twisted into eccentric versions of craziness, both seethingly glared into the review mirror. Apparently, that was my cue to magically apply logic to what had “actually” been said. Ironic, how they burst into laughter at Siri’s mistakes …or Mom’s …that’s always hysterical. But they take sisterly “corrections” very seriously.

imageGrown-up or not, we all fall victim to our own stubbornness. Right or wrong, few people have the ability to apologize on the spot for the effect irrelevant to the cause. Except Siri, she’s pretty quick to tell you, “I’m sorry, I did not understand.”

If you join me in the struggle to handle hot-tempered moments of kids quarreling in the backseat, I can offer a couple of tips that have kept me on the road. But don’t judge me if you hear me screaming “SHUT UP!” as I drive around town with the windows down. #trying #inthefield

1. Load up and line up your corrections. 

When we rely on the seat of our pants to apply sage wisdom, we conjure a stink full of bad advice. image

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Leviticus 20:7-8 (NIV)

Tense moments flare tempers, and words seem to fail us. No matter how many, or at what volume, they spill into the car … mistranslated like a text message surrendered to auto-correct.

God seeks to steer us, and applauds efforts to guide our children through tedious moments. Seek His wisdom. Set aside some space to clear the clutter and read the Bible. Everyday has five free minutes. The time I spend in His Word allows me to relay the motherly messages He always intended for my daughters to hear. image

2. Embrace The Correction

Imagine God watching from Heaven while we blow right by misinterpretations and hit “send” anyway …EVEN WHEN He’s waving both hands in front of our face?!?! Instead of ridiculing us for missteps and side-trails, He sent His only Son to die for us. The love demonstrated in sacrifice forever forgives our failed efforts. Through Jesus, God replaces every “fallen short,” with “grace and love.” image

What missteps have lent us the opportunity to spread Christ’s love? The story of Jesus naming Peter yields immense hope.

“And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter.)” John 1:42 (NIV)

Peter was a fisherman that doubted Jesus at the rooster’s crow. But he was also known for having solid faith in Jesus, and for his leadership in the early church. The NIV Study Bible further notes that, although his name is literally translated, “Rock,”

“Peter was anything but a rock; he was impulsive and unstable…Jesus named him not for what he was but for what, by God’s grace, he would become.”

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My daughters’ bickering in the backseat brings to light the natural struggle to be right …to be the best …the favorite … independent… No winner emerges from unjust conflict.  There’s no reason to put our individual mission on earth to death by comparison. Our kids need us to be who Jesus says we are.

“Peter was best know for his impetuous nature and fierce devotion to Christ.” -NIV Study Bible Text Note 

Impetuous means, “acting or done quickly and without thought or care.” (Google.com) It also can mean, “moving forcefully or rapidly.” (Google.com) 

Fierce means, “having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness.”(Google.com) It can also mean, “(of a feeling, emotion, or action) showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity.”(Google.com)

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So by one definition we can choose to see Peter as a flip-flopping doubter with a temper. Or, we can choose to look a little bit deeper into the heart Jesus identified long before Peter knew his name. The “Rock,” who spread the gospel with force and speed throughout the early church, and loved Jesus with heartfelt and powerfully intense faith.

Embrace the correction.

Parents are glaringly aware of faults and annoying attributes, but our love blows any negative ducks out of the water. We’ve embraced the imagecorrection before it’s corrected.

“Girls…” I warmed up, as I prayed that a nugget of Spirit-led wisdom would fall out of my mouth, “…it doesn’t matter who started it or who’s fault it is …you both need to apologize and hug it out.”

Insert insane amount of eye-rolling and last ditch efforts to pinch each other…

“Love you,” I added with a smile.

The correction is love.

imageWe don’t have to fight to be fierce. Most of us haven’t even grown into our true “names” yet. When we’re scrunched up and mangled into frustrated faces, Jesus sees our hearts and knows our names. His gift of death in exchange for grace grants us new life …for life …for forever.

Fight with the fierce and ferocious power of the love that conquered it all. And if you let a hot-tempered phrase slip, apologize. It works for Siri …my kids think she’s hilarious when she admits she’s at a complete loss…

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When I want to quit, prayer is there to pull me through. I hope you know He’s there for you, too.

Happy Corrections!

Megs

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  1. Alisa says:

    How I so identify with this Meg! I feel like I constantly dealing with the nagging comments and frustrated voices while I’m driving. Yet, usually I want to respond with a “STOP FIGHTING”!! I want the behavior to stop, when I really need to be dealing with the heart of the matter, which is love. I LOVED your response… The correction is love. That’s how God deals with me and in return that’s how I should be dealing with my kids. Such simple, but powerful words! So glad I stopped by! Have a great week my friend!

    • Meg Bucher says:

      Thank you, Alisa! God really laid this one on my heart! I have been known to threaten to put limo glass up between the front and back seats! Blocking it out isn’t the answer, either. He convicted me and has been specifically teaching me how to be a little better! I love how personal He is! Happy Tuesday! And thank you for stopping by! Megs

  2. debbieputman says:

    Oh, how I loved this: “Most of us haven’t even grown into our true “names” yet. When we’re scrunched up and mangled into frustrated faces, Jesus sees our hearts and knows our names.” I am so very thankful He sees me as I can be . . . if I let Him work.

  3. helloleahgrey says:

    Hello! Working on “fighting with love” has been my thing lately and I’m pretty sure ever since I tried to love, instead of fight, it’s just gotten harder and harder! It’s pretty humbling because I can really see its me who needs correcting, not the other person. I have to be more like Jesus. Great article! I could totally relate 🙂

  4. As I was reading your words here, the Lord brought to mind that verse in I Peter 4: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

    Parenting is not for cowards. Prayers for you today, brave mama. xo

    • Megs says:

      Thanks, Lyli! And brilliant share of that verse! Love it. Parenting is a crazy rush of wanting it to be over and wishing it will never end all at the same time …all of the time!
      Happy Wednesday, friend!!
      Megs

  5. Leigh Ellen says:

    Meg, your posts are always packed with honesty and topped off with timely and wise advice! Such a blessing to know and read your words! Blessings to you!

    • Megs says:

      Leigh, you are so nice! It’s God working through the gift He gave me, I assure you. I’m right in the think of life with you. It’s an honor to serve such a wonderful, loving, wise and true God.
      Happy Wednesday!!!
      Megs

  6. “The correction is love.” That’s what I need to remind myself of the most! And to say I’m sorry to begin with. Thanks for the timely reminder. And oh, Siri. She can confuse things, yes? 🙂

    • Megs says:

      Hi, Lisa! Thank you so much for reading, today! I was thrilled when God revealed this lesson to me. And Siri …oh, my goodness. I still feel like a true child of the 80’s/90’s and crack up every time I ask my phone a question! Especially hands-free in the car! Bah ha ha! She’s all the comic relief I need, some days.
      Happy Wednesday!!!
      Megs

  7. lynnjsimpson says:

    “No winner emerges from unjust conflict.” It’s so true. I know I am able to handle the conflict much better if my heart is in a state of love instead of fear. And Perfect love casts out fear. Yes, so important we get rooted in His word, His love to handle those conflicts! I remember those back seat fighting days and sometimes it meant a time out on the side of the road!

    • Megs says:

      Lynn,
      It will be a small miracle if I’m able to avoid hitting something all the years they are in my backseat. It starts before we pull out of the garage some days! Ha ha ha!
      Thank you for your kinds words here, today. And yes, He is so faithful to guide our hearts and our attitudes through the solutions in His holy and true Word. #love
      Happy Thursday! Megs

  8. Kelsey says:

    Oh, admitting we are wrong or made a mistake is so hard and humbling! Thanks for this encouragement.

    • Megs says:

      Kelsey – oh my word yes it is! It’s SO hard! But God rewards our efforts, and you will find that all of your worries for backing down will be squashed when you see that look of respect your child has for you. And, when you listen to them apologize to someone else. It’s truth passed down in the most pure and humbling way.
      Happy Thursday! Megs

  9. Such a good post and great tips to keep in mind. Also this is a great reminder to me to be who God says I am not who I or others think/say I am. Thank you for sharing today at #ThoughtProvokingThursday

    • Megs says:

      You’re welcome, Debbie! Thank you for commenting. It’s encouraging to see God working through this post. He’s amazing. It’s HARD not to compare, but all it does is steal our joy. We can’t fathom how He’s created each human being to be so unique, but that’s just how amazing and creative He is. Embrace your special ray of sunshine.
      Happy Thursday! Megs

  10. This is great and I LOVE the rooster graphic/quote. That will def stick with me.

  11. Great wisdom here, Meg – especially where our kids are concerned. It’s been a point we often wrestle over with my 13 year old – teaching him to quickly admit and make amends for those mistakes. My prayer is that if he can do it with us and know he’s still received and loved, that he’ll do it with God as well. But, I know from personal experience that isn’t always easy. So, so grateful for a God of grace that receives us with open arms and ready forgiveness.

    • Megs says:

      Many thanks for your kind words, Tiffany! 13… Oh my word save up some advice for me! I recently did a study that taught to spend more time building our kids up for who they are than telling them what they need to do better. Sounds like you are doing amazing at that! Happy Monday, friend!

  12. For some reason, I thought I had commented on this post. I remember reading it and laughing so loud at the beginning because I can hear that entire scene play out at my house. The correction is love. That stuck to me. It’s brilliant and so needed. I appreciate this post immensely. Parenting is not for the feint of heart, by golly! You’re a wonderful mom and I love how you infuse biblical truth into parenting. It’s so applicable. Have a wonderful week, friend and thank you for linking up to Open Mic Monday for the soul at Cisneros Cafe. Keep rockin’ your week.

    • Megs says:

      Thank you Carolina! If I can make it through homework and the last month of school …Lord, give me the strength! Ha ha ha! Always excited to link up at the Cafe and watch it grow into an awesome community! See you there tomorrow! Happy Weekend!!! Megs