He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.

Today was not peaceful and even less happy. Happy for some (in their mischief), but that happiness did not last. There are days I feel I'm banging my head against the Wall of Disobedience. I find myself thinking "What is there about this situation that you are not getting?" And then later, in desperation, I think "Are you just stupid? This is the bazillionth time in the last 30 minutes I have told you NOT to do that. And every single time you do it any way." It was an in-one-ear-out-the-other kind of day. I, as the Mom, did not exist (except when they wanted their basic needs met, like eating). Funny how that works.

I finally put them all to bed where they all played, got out of bed any way and I continued to put them back in. Consistency, I have found, is excruciating and exhausting. I don't like it. Not one bit. How is it that I refuse to back down all day, willingly choose to butt heads with my children and yet they have copious amounts of energy while I am ready for bedtime by two o'clock? Of course my children had their "Yes, ma'ams," their "Yes, you said to stay in bed," and the tears brought by discipline, but that did not seem to slow them in their antipathy toward instruction and discipline.

However, in all my frustration with my three children, I can only imagine what it would be like to be God as he considers the human race's antipathy towards obedience.  I can envision him saying "Are you stupid? If you just did what I said, you would be at peace." While I wonder why my kids don't seem to be understanding that I have the authority to say 'yes' or 'no' and to instruct them in obedience, I have realized that I need to recognize the authority of His instruction. There's a peaceful household when my children are obedient and don't seek to test my will/patience, and there's a peaceful heart when I am vigilant and take the instruction He gives to me. Peaceful heart + peaceful home = happy.

"Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep until they do evil;  they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."
    ~ Proverbs 4:10-22