When Things Fall Apart...

When Things Fall Apart...

Hey you guys. Have you ever had one of those days (ahem..weeks) when everything just.....falls apart?

It sucks right? (Wait, did the pastor's wife just say "sucks?)

Yes, I did. To any of you it might offend, I apologize, but we're about to get real up in here.

When things fall apart, because nothing seems to work:

Sometimes.... a lot of times.... you put your heart and soul into doing the right thing to make it better for your child and your family.

You read all the recommended books articles and studies (maybe that’s just me, IDK).

You go out and buy whatever trendy or new thing was recommended to you by your friends (gadgets, essential oils, herbal teas, yoga, etc).

Then you just pray that maybe THIS will be the ONE THING that finally makes it all work….but nothing changes.

When things fall apart because people don’t understand:

You go to every meeting. Talk to every teacher, principal, counselor, coach,... anyone who will listen.

You tell your story again and again to so many different teams of people over and over again until it makes you want to puke.

Why can't people just listen and understand?

Why won't people believe you when you explain that your child CAN'T do whatever it is that they are asking and, Hello!

NO! THEY ARE NOT just trying to get out of doing something.

Not only is it hard to be a parent to a child with ADHD, it's hard to be a Christian when you're dealing with all that comes with it. Am I right?

How many of you have ever just wanted to pound someone who refuses to "get" your kid?

“That’s not the way it was when I was a kid.

That’s now what it is like for the rest of the students.

So and so doesn’t seem to have a problem doing blah blah blah.”

Insert facepalm here.

When things fall apart, but you’re supposed to be better at this:

For those of you that don't know me, I am a special ed teacher, an elementary teacher, married to a pastor and grew up a pastor's kid.

There are all KINDS of expectations caught up in those qualifications. You'd think someone like that would have it figured out, right?

That sounds like a person who ought to know exactly what to say, how to say it, how to handle it and do it all with grace….

(sigh)

Nope.

I fall into the same traps you do.

• I’ve gotten mad (like LIVID) when I perceived that someone was messing with my kids.

• I’ve yelled (loudly). I’ve lost it.

• I’ve said things that didn’t need to be said.

• I’ve use tones that were unkind (putting it mildly).

• I’ve pointed fingers and made threats.

Yep.

Done all of that.

Guilty….

And ashamed.

I don’t have all the answers,

But I do know a couple of things.....

Here is what I know:

When I taught 6th grade (at a Christian school), we were studying Romans.

The entire theme of the book is this:

1. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

2. The wages of sin is death.

3. The gift of God is eternal life.

What does that have to do with anything?

People suck sometimes because we are ALL SINNERS.

Maybe it's ignorance, maybe it's apathy...doesn't matter.

All of us have messed up and deserve to be "pounded," as I suggested earlier.

We are all FORGIVEN by God's mercy.

That means you cannot give up on people.

No matter how they act, what they say or do. You cannot give up on them.

God did not give up on you.

HERE IS WHAT ELSE I KNOW:

This is from verses 12-13

"...clothe yourselves with compassion, humility, kindness, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

When things fall apart, you are not alone:

Dear sisters,

I hear you when you get angry.

I see you when you cry and feel like the whole world is falling apart around you.

I know what you're feeling and my heart aches with you.

Yes, we are mama bears protecting our children, but we are first and foremost ambassadors for Christ.

We have to reflect the attitude of Christ.

If we cannot do that, no amount of advocating (yelling, threatening), gadget trying, oil diffusing, or multitude of meetings will make any difference.

If you're hurting right now, please know that you are not alone. God sees you and hears you.

I am praying for you too.

Hold fast and persevere.

If you'd like a place to come and chat or cry or just be,

please join us in the JESUS me & ADHD Mom's Fellowship FB page.

Or even just email me.

I'll be here.

Blessings & Prayers

~ Beth