If you have raised children, you probably already know what I am going to share ….
Potty training can be hard!
There I said it. Everyone makes it sound like all children turn two years of age and magically become potty trained. And for some, it’s true. There are children who are ready and able and easy to train.
There are also those who are not.
Lately I have been spending my days with a toddler who falls into the latter category. She fully understands the concept but quite frankly, no one is going to tell her when and how and where to do her business. Literally.
So we have done what every sane adult would do – we bribe, we make promises, we sit on the bathroom floor and beg, we get frustrated and eventually, surrender comes. But is we who have surrendered not the toddler.
Surely we cannot be the only ones to experience this.
We give up and let some time go by and then try again.
This week, we are trying again. Except this time, it was she who decided she wanted to try again. And we are in our third day of success. Please don’t say this too loudly as she might hear and she is very strong willed and well, very much in control of this aspect of her life. I would be so disappointed if she changed her mind. Again.
But here is what potty training is teaching me this week:
- If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, NLT)
- We can resist the maturation process. “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12, NLT)
- We must grow up. “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I out away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11,)
Change occurs when they are ready. Maturity does happen. And it happens for us as well. Much the way, my toddler had to make up her mind she wanted the change to occur, we must come to the point of desiring to grow up and mature in Christ.
May we move from milk to solids.
Let’s make up our minds and grow up.
Today I am joining with … Thought Provoking Thursday and Woman 2 Woman and Everyday Jesus .
Potty training! I feel for you – it is the one area of parenting where I felt I knew no more on my third child than on my first! I hope your success continues 🙂
You are absolutely correct! Each experience is as unique as the child which totally keeps us on our toes.
All my boys took to potty training differently! Some were easy to “shepherd” some needed that time – the time for it to be important – and those are the same ones who told me later, “I have to want to make this right choices” – and it is hard in the wait. Sometimes we’re not ready for that deepness in Christ because we haven’t decided we want it. Others might want it for us, but until those seeds planted grow – and we decide to reach – well – it’s tough – but through faith – faith that God isn’t surprised – that God has the plan – I wait in faith praying for each one to sell out to God – or is that in to God! Have I rambled off the path, Joanne? Your story brought back so many memories – (5 boys – LOL) – and your message has such good truth in it! Shalom, my friend, in the wait for ready!
I loved reading your thoughts. Each experience is unique to each of us, including the way we come to choose walking with God. I think that is what makes the sharing of our stories so precious. I am so glad you stopped to share! Blessings!