Delays
Delays May Be a Blessing!
How you as a parent handle delays is crucial because everyday we inevitably experience multiple delays!
Every family has a “response to delay” pattern that is well defined (possibly from the “gazillion” interruptions family life provides. Lol!) Our response may be healthy or unpleasant, and it affects and shapes our inner strength and perspective.
Whether it is a traffic delay, wardrobe-malfunction delay, or kids-moving-in-slow-motion delay, we are all “schedule challenged” in our busy culture.
With six young children in our family, I had to “get a grip” in the midst of normal life delays and aggravations.
WE MUST ALL ASK OURSELVES: DO I HAVE A STRESSED-OUT FAMILY CULTURE? Do I react negatively to every inconvenience and interruption?
Unfortunately, choosing to allow anything to negatively disturb our emotions & inner peace potentially creates a toxic home atmosphere that affects everyone.
I remember years ago, taking my husband to the airport and realizing each of us thought the other had put his suitcase in the car. I couldn’t believe it! Here was one more delay in an already busy day. Fortunately, our home was only eight minutes away. When I got back to our house to pick up the bag, I realized how a delay can be beneficial. One of my husband Denny’s dear friends was at my house. He was driving through Shreveport on his way home from his father’s funeral. The friend quickly followed me to the airport and Denny was able to pray with him and share some precious moments together all because of the “needless” return to the house.
MANY TIMES A DELAY OR INTERRUPTION ACTUALLY WORKS FOR OUR GOOD!
This story always calms me down when things happen that I didn’t plan! Honestly, I’m less irritated or aggravated at myself or others when the delays happen.
I personally believe the scripture that declares “ALL things (even delays) work together for GOOD, to those who love God and are called to His purposes (Romans 8:28)) OR I SHOULD SAY, I AM LEARNING AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BELIEVE IT!
Here are a few thoughts:
1) WHY NOT LOOK FOR THE GOOD?
Resilient, emotionally strong people refuse to live with endless frustration. How? I believe we must break addiction to self pity, drama and negative reaction patterns, and react with a positive confidence that things will work out, even if it is not our original plan.
2) FEED THE GOOD THOUGHTS and SPEAK LIFE!
We have the ability to control the direction of our thoughts. We can encourage ourselves by choosing to focus on past good things that have happened as a result of a delay. The truth is: all our worry was a waste of time and energy.
ENCOURAGE YOURSELF! BE YOUR OWN LIFE COACH! Our words contaminate us and drain our energy, OR they can shield us from toxic emotions and give us energy . It is our choice!
3) DECLARE ANGER, FRUSTRATION & OFFENSE YOUR FOREVER ENEMIES!
Make it a contest: keep score of how many times you bypass the temptation to give up in frustration or irritation and instead MOVE FORWARD steadily, even if it seems like a standstill or a slow crawl! Celebrate the “Wins”! Develop your appetite for BEING STRONG… , NOT WEAK!
I probably need to read this blog daily or hourly! I hope we all, refuse the chaos of overreacting, for our own sakes, as well as our families,
Why not declare at the beginning“ of our day: Delays will not dictate my feelings!”
WE CAN CHOOSE HAPPY! Long ago, I labelled myself “PATIENT, STRONG & FULL OF JOY”!
Come on, we can do this! IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!
Never Give Up!
DeAnza Duron