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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Anger (01/24/05)
The mama bear was calm, happy, almost teddy bear-like while she was eating in the berry patch, but then something approached her cub. Her claws came out to their full __ inches, and she stood to her growling 6 feet height. The ground shook. Her eyes were red with rage. There was no stopping her anger!

That was me. Even though I am not quite five feet tall, and hardly ever get mad, I became this wild animal full of rage when someone hurt my child. It wasn’t a serious hurt. A basketball coach keeps my daughter on the bench for all but 1 to 2 minutes each game. She isn’t an aggressive player, which is a determent in sports. Even though she gives the game and practice time 100%, this man only wants to win so she sits on the bench. It breaks my heart that she is treated unfairly. She is handling it just fine and remains graceful through it all. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Being her mom, however, I see her shoulders drop a fraction when he scans the benched players for who will go in next and gives her an oh-my-definitely-not-you look. I handled this all for a bit but, one night, the complete angry mama bear package happened before I could talk myself out of it. If I could have reached the coaches neck, I would have attempted strangulation. I have never been so angry.

I had to leave the game because I knew I would make a fool of myself if I stayed. I wanted desperately to pray for encouragement and strength and protection for my daughter, but I was so angry and had so many ugly sinful thoughts about this coach, I knew God would not/ could not hear my prayers. I have never felt so useless or alone.

Anger blocked my only avenue for help. I frantically called a prayer partner and good friend and said, “I can’t go into details right now but please pray for encouragement for my daughter.” I had to take myself to the woodshed a couple times and cry out for forgiveness. Then…. I had to forgive the coach. I went home and went to my Bible. Just as I worked through all this and was at peace before the Lord again, my daughter was home from her game. She was excited and all smiles. The coach had played her a whole extra minute.

I learned a very valuable lesson that night. I learned the power of anger. We all know the damaging physical power of anger is amazing, but the damaging spiritual power of anger is ten times stronger because it can hinder our communication with the Lord. Now before every game, I pray for heart protection for my daughter, and that my mama bear anger will be de-clawed.
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This article has been read 926 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Lee Schab 
01/31/05
Wonderful entry! So honest and SO real. How many moms out there can relate? Me!Me!Me! (I'm raising my hand as I type)
Well written with an excellent message. Great job!
Blessings, Lynda
DeAnna Brooks
01/31/05
I've this terrible habit of picking up another's grievances, even if they haven't picked them up themselves. I love the powerful truth written here, and realize...I'd best discover that woodshed. I certainly am glad that forgiveness comes.

blessings, DeAnna
Mitzi Busby
02/01/05
Enjoyable read! This Mama Bear can relate.
Christine Rhee
02/01/05
I loved your title.

Don't abandon your Mama Bear anger altogether.

There are some occassions, when it is really needed and is unter the control of the Holy Spirit, that it can be part of what really heals your daughter.

My own dear Mama Bear has taught me that.
Marina Rojas
02/02/05
I found this article a little hard to get going on, for the change of tenses; but could identify the feelings. It reminded me (1) that I cannot protect my children from life, which is not "fair" and (2) anger is waiting to knock at my door even in the little stuff and (3) it is goooooood to have a prayer partner--always. Thanks for this article!
Deborah Anderson
02/05/05
I loved your title, too. God bless you.
Debbie OConnor
02/05/05
A great, vividly written entry. Loved the line, I want to be like her when I grow up! Awesome.
Sally Hanan
02/06/05
You hit the spot with judging others' motives and wanting to everything go well for your child. I too found the tense changes a bit difficult.