Day 7: The Blame Game

"No temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid on you that is not common man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." 1 Corinthians 10:13

"It's always easy to blame someone else or outside forces for our actions." (Meyers, pg 22).

"...we don't have the right to blame other people or circumstances for our behavior." (pg 23)

"Christ came to set us free." (pg. 23)

"The escape is provided, but we must make use of it." (pg. 23)

"Our weakness is one of our greatest excuses. WE may be weak, but God is strong, and He is willing to be our strength." (pg. 23)

"If the devil can darken our minds- make us think we can't possibly win- we've lost." (pg 24)

"We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, shifting blame, and ignoring situations.  We need to believe the promise of God that declares He is faithful and will always deliver us in plenty of time." (pg 24)

"God never abandons us or leaves us helpless." (pg 25)

Prayer:
"Father God, forgive me for blaming You, my circumstances, or other people for my failures. You are the Way-Maker for me in every temptation.  I'm going to trust You to tear down the devil's strongholds in my mind, in Jesus's name. Amen" pg 25

My Thoughts:
Today I received a phone call from school.  I was wondering when that phone would ring with the news that my little me decided to show the school the side of her she shows us at home.  In my heart, I truly was hoping it wouldn't ever happen, but it did.

A trigger was pulled in her and she lost it.

Of course, it was the bus driver's fault for not giving her an opportunity to talk.

"NO ONE LISTENS!" is what she screamed at me in the car.

Anger was absent from me.  I feel bad for her.  She embarrassed herself at the one place she was able to put up a "everything is fine, I'm a perfectly normal kid" front.

I signed "I love you" when I got her for the principles office.

She blames someone else.  Another kid who she says slapped her.  She did not tell the bus driver.  She got kicked off the bus for not listening.

Maybe all of those people who always blame others for their mistakes have a disconnect in their brains like my daughter?  Maybe they simply don't want to take responsibility for their actions?  Perhaps they are so used to the way things are that changing seems like too much work?

Let me tell you.

It is work.

But change can happen.

Family trees can be altered.

Children can live without fear of being abused by their parents.

Anger can be managed.     Controlled.      Redirected.

Maybe, with a lot of prayer and intervention, mini me will continue to change the family tree for the better.

I believe in her.  Just like God believes in all of us.