What is your approach to life, serving others or being served?

They+called+me+soon+as+I+left+the+house%E2%80%94the+younger+kids.+%26nbsp%3BCalled+as+they%26nbsp%3Bsometimes+do+with+a+disagreement.%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BIt+was+Kyle+%26amp%3B+Kristen+who+were+at+it+again.+%26nbsp%3BThey+are+the+most+sensitive+and+compassionate%26nbsp%3Bout+of+the+bunch+and+they+are+the%26nbsp%3Bmost+argumentative+and%26nbsp%3Bopinionated+ones.+They+always%2C+always+want+to+get+their+point+across.+%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZuMxsHAfP-M%2FTfOLJZTbsoI%2FAAAAAAAAAsA%2F0rWg-kJ1xCg%2Fs1600%2Fhumility%2B3.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22400%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZuMxsHAfP-M%2FTfOLJZTbsoI%2FAAAAAAAAAsA%2F0rWg-kJ1xCg%2Fs400%2Fhumility%2B3.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%3Cb%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EFor+the+most+part+my+husband+and+I+allow+our+children+to+share+their+feelings+with+us+when+a+problem+in+the+house+arises.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%26nbsp%3B+We+do+have+the+final+word+with+the+children%2C+but+sometimes+we+don%27t+always%26nbsp%3Bhear+what%27s+being+said%2C+at+least+I+know+I+don%27t.%26nbsp%3BSo+we+talk+things+through+a+lot+to+be+sure+we+hear.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cb%3EA+lot+of+times+when+I+see+that%26nbsp%3Ba+child+is%26nbsp%3Bunhappy+with+a+decision+that+we%27ve+given%2C%26nbsp%3BI+will+ask+them+why%26nbsp%3B+are+they+unhappy+about+it%3F%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fb%3E%26nbsp%3BIt+is+at+this+point%26nbsp%3Bsome+times+that%26nbsp%3BI+get+a+clear+picture.%26nbsp%3B+And+sometimes+I+can+see+their+way+and+I+will+agree+with+them%2C+other+times+I+don%27t+see+their+way%2C+and+yet+other+times+I+will+see+their+way+and+stick+to+my+verdict.%26nbsp%3B+It+simply+boils+down+to+the+situation+at+hand.%0D%0A%0D%0AI+was+very+irritated+by+Kyle+and+Kristen%26nbsp%3Bcalling+me+bugging+me+with+nonsense%2C+as+they+have+done+this+often+lately.%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3E+What+irritates+me+more+than+anything+is+that+they+will+call+and+bug+the+heck+out+of+me%2C+but+will+not+bother+their+dad.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E%26nbsp%3BSo%2C+yesterday%26nbsp%3Bas+my+husband+and+I%26nbsp%3Bwere+quietly+enjoying+the+drive%26nbsp%3Bto%26nbsp%3BSmash+Burgers+they+called.%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BI+wasn%27t%26nbsp%3Bthe+cool-headed+Mama+this+time+though.%26nbsp%3B+This+time%26nbsp%3BMama%26nbsp%3Blost+it.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EOnce+I+heard+why+they+were+calling+me%2C+and+once+I+picked+up+on+my+daughters+attitude%3C%2Fstrong%3E%26nbsp%3BI%26nbsp%3Bbecame+so+angry+until+I+began%26nbsp%3Bscreaming+through+the+phone+...+making+threats+while+feeling+my+blood+pressure+rise+and+my+blood+boil.%26nbsp%3B+I+was+heated%21%0D%0A%0D%0A%22Gosh+that+girl+can+get+me%26nbsp%3Bstirred+up%2C%22+I+told+my+husband+when+I+hung+up+with+her.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cb%3EI+try+to+avoid+such+performances+with+my+children.%3C%2Fb%3E%26nbsp%3B+I+always+try+to+be+understanding+and+cool-headed%2C+but+I+couldn%27t+take+the+nonsense+this+time.%26nbsp%3B+%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WEKssgIwmjI%2FTfOLSBK-tAI%2FAAAAAAAAAsE%2FbaDF1ExcQVU%2Fs1600%2Fhumility%2B2.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22355%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WEKssgIwmjI%2FTfOLSBK-tAI%2FAAAAAAAAAsE%2FbaDF1ExcQVU%2Fs400%2Fhumility%2B2.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AOnce+I+calmed+down+my+mind+immediatly+went+to+scripture.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cblockquote%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EDo+nothing+from+selfishness+or+empty+conceit%2C+but+with+humility+of+mind+regard+one+another+as+more+important+than+yourselves.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3EDo+not+merely+look+out+for+your+own+personal+interests%2C+but+also+for+the+interest+of+others.+%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3EHave+this+attitude+in+yourselves+which+was+also+in+Christ+Jesus%2C+who+although+He+existed+in+the+form+of+God%2C+did+not+regard+equality+with+God+a+thing+to+be+grasped.%26nbsp%3B+But+emptied+Himself%2C+taking+on+the+form+of+a+bond-servant%2C+and+being+made+in+the+likeness+of+men%2C%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3EBeing+found+in+appearance+as+a+man%2C+He+humbled+Himself+by+becoming+obedient+to+the+point+of+death%2C+even+death+on+a+cross.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fblockquote%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AJesus%26nbsp%3Bwent+low+and+God+highly+exalted+Him.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis+is+what%26nbsp%3BI+must+remember+when%26nbsp%3BI+am%26nbsp%3Bfaced+with+the+opportunity+to+be+humble+or+fight.+%26nbsp%3BAre+we+going+to+save+ourselves+by+fighting%2C+throwing+fits+or+will+we+let+God+do+the+fighting%3F%0D%0A%0D%0AWhen+telling+my+girlfriend+about+the+incident+with%26nbsp%3Bmy+daughter%26nbsp%3Bshe+said+what%26nbsp%3Bmany+say%2C+%3Cstrong%3E%22I+wonder+where+she+gets+it+from%3F%22%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AIn+Kristen%27s+defense%2C+I+understood+exactly+what+she+was+saying.+%26nbsp%3BInitially+I+had+no+plans+of+punishing+her%2C+but+she+just+wouldn%27t+listen.+%26nbsp%3BShe+would+not+obey+and+she+would+not+humble+herself.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%22Kristen+I+understand.%26nbsp%3B+Listen+to+me.%26nbsp%3B+Kristen+I+understand%2C+but+listen+to+me.%26nbsp%3B+Kristen+I+understand+your+point%2C+but+listen+to+me+...%22%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fstrong%3E+That+girl+was+not+listening.%0D%0A%0D%0ABefore+long%2C+I+was+yelling%2C+%3Cstrong%3E%22Let+me+tell+you+something+little+girl%21%26nbsp%3B+It%27s+best+you+hush+your+mouth+right+now+do+you+hear+me%3F%21%26nbsp%3B+You+must+be+out+of+your+mind+if+you+think+I+am+going+to+let+you+talk+to+me+like+that%21%21%21%22%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EHumility+is+all+that+was+called+for+to+change+the+situation.+%26nbsp%3BI%E2%80%94Mama%2C+would+not+listen+and+obey+the+voice+in+my+head.+%26nbsp%3BThe+voice+from+the+father+who+told+me+to+%22hush+and+deal+with+the+situations+when+I+got+home.%22+%26nbsp%3BHad+I+done+that+my+words+would+not+have+been+so+unkind+and+cut+so.+%26nbsp%3BThe+venom+would+not+have+spilled.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-XuUvZEkGPJw%2FTfOMc74NW8I%2FAAAAAAAAAsU%2F46S2Sl0y0bA%2Fs1600%2Fwords%2B3.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22280%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-XuUvZEkGPJw%2FTfOMc74NW8I%2FAAA5PaUSeJdaci3sqCRl0y0bA%2Fs400%2Fwords%2B3.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%se%E2%80%94the+yD%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EMy+personality+is%%3B+Kristen+who+nbsp%3Bwhere+I+can+be+quite%2C%26nbsp%3Bget+low%2C+be+amicable%26nbsp%3Band+get+along+to+move+along+if+need+be.+%26nbsp%3BThat+is+until+I+feel+my+back+against+the+wall.+%26nbsp%3BI+will+tell+you%2C+%22You%27rt+their+point+across.+%0D%0A%3Cs+%26nbsp%3BAfter%2C+however%2C+I+see+where+my+pleas+are+being+ignored%2C+and+I+begin+to+feel+your%26nbsp%3Bresistance%26nbsp%3BbA%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ZuMxsHAfP-M%2Fth+your+mouth+%22Okay%2C%22%26nb-kJ1xCg%2Fs1600%emeanor+displays+something+else+towards+me.%26nbsp%3B+%3Cb%3EIt+is+then+that+I+seem+to+come+unglued.%26nbsp%3B+Humility+and+all+else+ends+up%26nbsp%3Bfalling+by+the+wayside+when+I+get+to+that+point.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fb%3E+This+is+the+behavior+that+Kyle+and+Kristen+display.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3ESelfishness+is+what+I+displayed+yesterday.%26nbsp%3BI+didn%27t+want+to+be+bothered%3C%2Fstrong%3E.+%26nbsp%3BI+wanted+to+resolve+the+situation+quickly+to+get+back+to+my+90%27s+music+and+conversation+with+my+husband.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EThe+problem+with+that+is%26nbsp%3BI+am+a+mother+with+seven+children.%26nbsp%3B+I+am+always+on-call+24%2F7.%26nbsp%3B+My+time+is+not+my+time+right+now.%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BI+stress+unity+in+our+home%2C+but+unity+between+siblings+and%26nbsp%3Bparents+is+not+what+we+always+get.%26nbsp%3B+Selfishness+comes+to+visit+sometimes.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%3Cb%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0AI+have+come+to+see+how+I+set+the+tone+for+much+in+my+family.%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3E+Jesus+the+King+gave+up+His+throne+and+willingly+humbled+himself+becoming+a%26nbsp%3BBond-Servant.%26nbsp%3BJesus+understood+His+call+and+what+His+call+entailed.%26nbsp%3B+I+must+do+likewise.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cdiv+class%3D%22separator%22+style%3D%22clear%3A+both%3B+text-align%3A+center%3B%22%3E%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WVTeGntML8U%2FTfOLgtR8dJI%2FAAAAAAAAAsM%2FQgFlnfg8sPY%2Fs1600%2Fhumility%2B4.jpg%22+imageanchor%3D%221%22+style%3D%22margin-left%3A+1em%3B+margin-right%3A+1em%3B%22%3E%3Cimg+border%3D%220%22+height%3D%22250%22+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WVTeGntML8U%2FTfOLgtR8dJI%2FAAAAAAAAAsM%2FQgFlnfg8sPY%2Fs400%2Fhumility%2B4.jpg%22+width%3D%22400%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fdiv%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cstrong%3EAs+parents%2C+we+have+to+relinquish+our+rights+to+ourselves+to+serve+our+children%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0ALike+Christ%26nbsp%3BI+should+have+a+servants+attitude%2C+serving+out+of+love+for+God+and+for+others%2C+not+out+of+guilt+or+fear.%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3EI+can+choose+my+attitude%3C%2Fstrong%3E.%26nbsp%3B+%3Cstrong%3EI+can+approach+life+expecting+to+be+served%2C+or+we+can+take+opportunities+to+serve+others.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AHow+many+times+have+I+forfeited+my+peace+or+pleasure+only+because+I+would+not+humble+myself%E2%80%94humble+to+the+point+of+obedience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cb%3E...+He+humbled+Himself+by+becoming+obedient+to+the+point+of+death%2C+even+death+on+a+cross.%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0A%3Cb%3E+%3C%2Fb%3E%0D%0AMost+of+the+time+God+is+not+requiring+humility+or+obedience+to+the+point+of+physical+death.+%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3EBut+He+does+require%26nbsp%3Bme+to+die+to+myself+daily.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AJesus+died+as+one+who+was+cursed+%7BGal.+3%3A13%7D.+%26nbsp%3BJesus+died+a+shameful+death+so+that+we+would+not+have+eternal+punishment.+%26nbsp%3B%3Cstrong%3EThis+is+the+extent+of+His+humility+and+His+obedience.%26nbsp%3B+This+was+Jesus%27+approach+to+life%2C+to+serve+others.%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E

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