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| The Terrible Two’s |
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The years between one and three have been dubbed the “terrible two’s” by those who have gone through them and survived. I personally have not had the opportunity to go through them, but since I am a devoted aunt to several nephews and one niece, I can attest to the fact that such a phenomenon as the “terrible twos” does exist! Here are a few of the behaviors I have noticed: - selfishness - “mine” is often a favorite word - will play to the point of exhaustion - will resist sleep at all costs (evidenced by sleeping with food stuck on the face or in the play pen with a toy clenched in the fist) - wants to eat what isn’t good for him - will only eat what he wants - cries when he can’t get his way - cries so that you’d think he might die - cries until he turns many shades of color resulting in bright red or blue - wants his own way at all costs - will wet his pants before thinking of going to take care of himself - will pinch, hit, or bite if necessary to get his own way - will run from parents who are there to guide, discipline, and help - charms to get his own way Of course, this is an extreme picture of a child in the terrible two’s. There are many joys that a child of this age brings! However, a child of 6, 10 or 15 should not exhibit such behaviors nor would parents allow such behaviors. How interesting is it that we mature Christians allow a 20 or 30 year old Carnal Inner Man throw such tantrums daily and we strive to keep the “baby” quiet as our lives spiral out of control!
In my study of 1Peter 4, I found the phrase, “Christ suffered in His body… arm yourselves with the same attitude.” This made me think of how Christ lived His life while on earth. He walked everywhere He went, He had no place to lay His head, and he suffered ultimately on the cross. I would have difficulties with the first on that list, although I should do more walking! In this day and time we have made pampering our bodies an art form. Spas and resorts are the ultimate vacation spots. Denying the flesh is the last thing we want to do and the first thing we avoid! I have shared thoughts about the terrible two’s, but really it’s about the condition of our hearts. May we give complete control over our lives to Jesus as we learn to die daily to the flesh. As we seek to do this, God will show us His patience and kindness as He leads us closer to Him! |
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Sue |
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November 22, 2007 at 10:18pm |
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| Fabulous post Michelle! You and Pastor Tim are a tremendous blessing to the MyChurch community. Keeping blogging, you are very good at it! Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. |
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| Why thanks for the post. I agree as a set free junkie, I can say it's embarassing when the terrible two's turn into the terrible 30's and I'm trying to live in the spirit so it don't stretch into the terrible 50s. |
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| Thanks, guys! I appreciate the feedback and I wholeheartedly agree with Dave -- I am believing that the latter years will be better than the first!!! Sue, you touched my heart with your comment! Thanks! BTW we had a houseful over for Thanksgiving including pets from different households. I am happy to report that everyone, including pets, got along beautifully. We were all blessed!! |
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| Wow, great insights Michelle! ~mike |
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Brent |
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November 22, 2007 at 10:49pm |
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Happy Thanksgiving Michelle! The Terrible Two's was a label we avoiding using when our kids were that age. There is no question that the rebellion and me is there. We shouldn't be suprised because of this. After all if we truly believe that we are born in sin, this stage of life confirms it. I think it is sad when a young child expressing him/herself as she naturally does causes parents to overreact when they are embarrassed. But that is another blog altogether. *grin* I do agree that it is sad when we behave like that as Christians when we don't get our way or don't like some decision. I had a grandma that grew old gracefully and was so into what I was doing in my teen years. She was a prayer warior for all 30 cousins when she couldn't sleep too well. Never did I hear her wanting something for herself. She was so outward focussed!! What a lesson to me. As I am thinking about my spiritual heritage on this Thanksgiving weekend, I am so thankful for these prayer warriors. Anyway, I hope that I am one that ages gracefully. Sometimes in my late 40's it is all about me. I pray that we all wake up and smell the coffee and realize it is not about us. God help us to realize we are not in charge and to allow you to be in charge of all areas of our lives. Thanks Michelle, this is such a timely blog. We are discussing issues much like this in a small group of men that I worship with. It is interesting that God moves in us on different ends of the country. In the Grip of His Grace, Brent |
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| Now that's a trick getting pets to get along. |
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| Thank you Michelle.I am really blessed by your blog.I am learn more things from.I need your word of encouragement.thnk you so much. |
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Carolyn |
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November 23, 2007 at 4:53am |
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| Thank you Michelle for posting this blog. I totally agree with everything you said. We are such a spoiled bunch and we all need to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and be more like Him. God is so good and Greatly to be Praised. |
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Kathy |
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November 23, 2007 at 6:16am |
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| Great post, Michelle! I hope we shall act at least 3 in all our interactions today! :) Keep the blogs coming! |
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Gene |
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November 23, 2007 at 7:39am |
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As I started reading your post Michelle, I immediately got what you were trying to say. It's amazing how "the old man" simply keeps trying to have his own way. It hurts our own lives but also hurts the relationships within our congregations and families.
The next time I hear of any discord being passed around at church, I won't be able to look at them without seeing a two-year old.
Thanks! |
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suzanne |
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November 23, 2007 at 8:31am |
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| Hi, Michelle--your blog was convicting, but made me laugh at myself too. I could see myself in several of those attitudes (not wetting my pants, though). |
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| Great blog, Michelle. I wonder sometimes if God as Father doesn't want to just hold us upside down till we faint. |
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| Don, thankfully He doesn't do that lol... However, He has no problem reteaching over and over until we get it right. There are certain areas in my life that I wish I would pass the test so I could go on to the next level! |
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| Wonderful blog Michele that's why its so important to focus on Christ and keep that 2 year old spirit under subjection but as a human I must confess it rears its head and I find myself pleading the blood against it. Hard to believe its your first blog Michele you seem like a proffessional. God bless you and keep on blogging. |
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You really hit the nail on the head, Michelle.
I quite often find myself in the spoiled-rotten baby boomer class. It's sad to think that God will not call on spiritual infants to fight tough spiritual battles for the Kingdom because the armor of God wouldn't fit. Also the meat of the Word is too tough...only milk is able to be handled. What is worse, there's the possibility of being relegated to wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years until death instead of being sent to conquer the enemies of God and winning entrance into the Promised Land of spiritual blessing here on earth. Think of the souls that could have been won that were not...because they didn't want what they saw. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day distractions and forget that every moment will have to be accounted for in eternity. How did we live our life? |
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| Thanks for the reminder, Connie. I am a believer that God is the God of 2nd chances (& 3rd & 4th...) but it is sobering to think of how we often waste our time and lives away. I pray that we all take seriously the call on our lives to be whatever God wants from the water boy to the warrior in battle! |
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Gene |
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November 25, 2007 at 6:50pm |
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Michelle, I just wanted to share with you what the sermon was about today. Today is "Christ the King" Sunday so the message was about what it means to be a King in God's kingdom and how Jesus took the notion of power and sovereignty and turned it upside down. It was very good. But it was the children's sermon that was so good.
The pastor got up from and asked what it meant to be a king. He got a [paper] crown and put it on his head and a robe a flung it over his shoulders and a royal scepter for his hand, then ordered people to do this and do that. Then he asked if that's what a king does? The explanation of course was that he was showing how people typically see a king and that Jesus was a different type of King. I just had your blog rumbling through my head saying, "Look, he's doing the terrible two's!" |
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Three and a half isn't much better. I have one son who's there and one that is two. So pray for me and my wife. But I like the point you make. We start out strong when we first come to the Lord. We are excited to learn new things. Then we are faced with some things that we need to change and it's a struggle. I know where you are coming from. I appreciate this blog. |
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Deb |
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November 29, 2007 at 3:01pm |
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I'm with the group--excellent post! My son never had the terrible two's...it was more like the terrible three's. Now, we seem to be regressing as he will turn twelve next week. For the
first time he's testing the waters with me regarding lying (about his schoolwork, mostly),
absolutely refusing to help around the house or yard, clean his room, flush the toilet--I mean,
really!! I have MS and by late afternoon when he gets home from school my energy level is
past empty. He's smart enough to have figured that out and is using it to his full advantage.
Punishment such as restriction, taking away his beloved TV and video games for weeks at a
time have had no impact. My husband has a job working long hours and is exhausted when
he gets home. He will allow Marc (our son) to watch TV or play a game basically so he won't have to deal with him. I'm the only one in the house attending Church, sadly.
Any ideas?
Peace and Blessings,
Deb |
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I LOVE THIS BLOG
Course I am a toddler in Christ and I just got a spanking from God. OH the love
My daughter hit the terribles the week she turned three... it only lasted a week... she too had a soar rear end. |
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Course I tend to hit the floor kicking... and hold my breath till I pass out
God just waits... love is patient
then i have to slink back and get a hug |
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Deb, I know how difficult it is to raise teen agers. Our nephew lived with us for five years. The power of prayer is the best offense and defense! I prayed just now that God would give you wisdom and patience as you go through this difficult time! Becky, what a picture! lol.. so true! God is so patient with us! |
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