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My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20
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The Sting
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Oh, the sting of it!
Do remind me
to turn the other cheek
while crimson
rushes to my temples
that I’d be slow to speak
Slow down this hurried heart
that pounds war drums
urging me into battle
against another one
May I feel the slap
as a pinch
to remind me I’m alive
and that I need to react
with gentleness and respect
and love within my eyes
How often have I been
in need of such grace?
And so –
remind me that soon
the tables may turn
and put me
in their place.
Wendy/2013
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Several weeks ago I wrote this after having had my feelings hurt by the words of another. It calmed me down and joy returned. Then I went on to write one of my best romantic poems: The Charmed Garden.
When I was face to face with my dear one again, I was greeted immediately with an apology and a kind smile. Thanks to my submission to James 1:19-20… I was ready to smile back.
Our home is laced with hormones these days. Three teens and a mama (about to enter the change) reside here; however, so does the Holy Spirit!
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Dear Father,
I love how You transform me and help me through all the stages of life. You have blessed me abundantly. You are so good!
Love your daughter
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Righteous Life Blessings ~ Wendy
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The Word With Wendy 
Oh, how I can relate! How I wish I would remember more often to have that “…gentle answer, that turns away wrath” … thanks for your faithfulness and for sharing … in doing so you remind us! … I think we have more in common than we think … three teens and a hormonally challenged mother … sounds so familiar 🙂
I’m an older mom (52), and I can assure you that it gets easier (for many reasons) as you get older. My kids and I have laughed over some of our old spats. The real test for me will be when my daughter is of dating age… I will be sweating bullets for sure. One day at a time for this oldish gal. 😉
This is a great word, spoken in a lovely poem, Wendy. And thanks for the peek into your home life–hormones ought to have a room of their own, eh? Praying God pours out His sweet Holy Spirit on all women today. God bless you–love, sis Caddo
Caddo, I love the idea of a “hormone room of their own.” I like the ones that make me feel like cleaning, cooking, and cuddling – but the cranky ones gotta be sent to their own room! 😉 Blessings dear poet friend xo
I’m chuckling–for the first time this “cranky” day! So, thank you for that, Wendy–I’m going to see if I can leave the crankies behind, while I write a poem…
🙂 xo
*sigh* I too live in the land of hormones! It is so hard to not push to be right, not retort and complain and yank chains. I wonder what would happen if I remembered your little bee stinging lesson?? 🙂
Melody, I find it so painfully humbling when I need to apologize to my children because I was wrong. It is also humbling when they so readily forgive me. I guess it gives me a chance to model how to give sincere and contrite apologies… 😉
Absolutely! I know it in my head, and echo the truth of it – but my heart is slow to respond. (Especially when it is me having to apologize. Ouch.)
I suspect you just haven’t been wrong enough times to have as much practice as I have had at apologizing. 😉
Shall we make a list to compare? (Let’s not, on second thought… I don’t think I need any reminders!) 😉
I have really enjoyed reading your poetry and seeing your photos. It is reassuring that parents have the same kind of struggles (just read my latest blog about running away). The day will come when all your little vessels will be launched and the house will be eerily quiet. I have three sons and a daughter and when we finally all get together we are loud and happy. God bless you and thank you for sharing your poetry. Mollie.
Mollie, you are so right that it will be eerily quiet. One child plays piano, another drums and the oldest electric guitar. I am not in a hurry for them to leave as the sound of their music tells me they are alive and well. It tells me they are using a gift given by their Creator.
I just read your wonderful post and it will help me to face wet towels and dirty dishes with grace, as this is our season for a full nest. Our home is large ( by my standards) and there’s no rush to empty it out.
If you could sum up, in one sentence ,the best advice for parents of teens to consider – what would it be? xo
I loved the words in your poem about the slap being a pinch to remind me that I’m alive…I have often wondered about the divine timing of teenage hormones and midlife hormones living under the same roof! That’s the predicament here as well…but God!!!
Amen, Patty, to “but God!!!” I have never loved so much or been so loved as I am in marriage and motherhood; however, they do bring me to the brink of busting during the challenging times… but God turns those moments into lessons when I allow him free reign.