Learning Self-Control!

Yesterday, we had some friends over after church. While us older kids were playing games and having fun, I couldn't help but notice how the this family's relationship with each other was loving! It wasn't "pretending" to love each other...it WAS loving each other.

So...why do I have such a hard time loving my siblings? I'm a mess! I'm trying so hard to control my anger in the messy times, or talk in a low tone when I feel like yelling...but...I can't! I try to, but that's the thing...I don't try hard enough. What I'm doing ISN'T enough! It's not enough to say "I'm going to have self-control from now on", but you have to practice it as well. The other day, my brother Elijah was so busy playing
that he "forgot" to go potty....as he puts it, and, well...his pants were soaked! Yes, I have to admit
that I yelled at him for doing such a thing. Thankfully Elijah doesn't hold grudges, so after
 he sat on the potty for a little bit, and got dressed again, I went over
to him and gave him a hug.

I think I have such a hard time with my anger, because I don't ask for help from God! I'm sure that God's probably laughing saying, "Oh, Caitlin! I put your siblings in your life to teach you how to control your anger." I know, I know...we are ALL sinners! But does that mean that we
 shouldn't "try" to be loving?

Yesterday in church, my mom stayed home, so I was in charge of taking care of my 2 younger siblings, and keeping an eye on them.  Elijah has a tendency to play really loud in church with his cars or some other toys...so we have to constantly tell him to "be quiet" in church, and to be respectful. So, I thought this was a good was to practice my "Self-Control" while in church. So, I asked Elijah to come to me, and I whispered in his ear, "Buddy, you have to quiet down a little bit, okay?" With a smile he said, "Okay." ...that could have turned out a lot worse...don't you think? I could have kicked him and put my finger over my mouth to "shh" him...but he probably would have thrown a fit. I felt so calm afterwords. So later last night, I prayed to God. I prayed that he would help me to "control" my temper when it comes; and then when it does come, that God would help me to overcome it, and that there will be peace throughout the house! After all...it starts
with just one person! : )

 ^"...Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor,performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification ^[v]according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor
and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God
in Christ also has forgiven you."
~Ephesians 4:26-32~