Avoiding Fourth of July Freak Outs

I was running late, which is more normal for me than not, unfortunately. The kids had stayed the night at my mom’s and my girls and I were supposed to be involved in a running event that was taking place sooner than I cared to acknowledge.

It happened to be the Fourth of July and my attitude was on the edge of rupturing and popping with the best of any ear-piercing firecrackers.

When I’m running late I just get bent out of shape, and anyone around me reaps the negative results. This was one of those times—one where I felt ready to burst and far from control of anything reasonably manageable.

I rushed into my mom’s house to grab my daughters so we could quickly make it to the park where the race was to begin in ten minutes. My sass-tude finally caved and wildly flared when I walked in to everyone still sleeping!

Like a string of black-cats that had just been lit, I set fire with my words! “Why in the world are y’all still sleeping?!! We have to be there in ten minutes!! If you’re coming with me then get up and get going!! Hurry up!!!”

You know the saying ‘dynamite comes in small packages’…that was me right then—except I’d bypassed any caution tags and went full on explosive.

The kids stirred around and then groggily got up for the day, probably proud of their country, but certainly not their mother’s booming voice.

No joke, my husband heard me from outside and decided to head out for his prior obligations without a good-bye.

Paige dropped out of the race within seconds of my arrival and McKenzie committed, probably out of pity…and Warren must’ve went into hiding.

These poor kids! This right here is another example of why I’m forever saying ‘I’m gonna mess them up’ —it’s because of times like this! Ugh!

These aren’t lovely ‘mama-moments’ to recall!!

That short-fuse scene has been dubbed ‘Fourth of July Freak Out’ by my family…and we do laugh about it..now…more so in a mocking sort of way.

My guess is you can probably relate…maybe you too have had a Fourth of July Freak Out moment? …Side note: Fourth of July Freak Outs aren’t just cohesive to July 4th.

Mine are few and far between these days thankfully, but every once in a while they show up with a bang, such as this particular episode.

I was able to quickly blow this off and by the time the race started I was good to go; I ran off any crazy that remained, but that didn’t mean I didn’t owe apologies to my loved ones afterwards.

I’ve noticed that often times when I begin the day in anger, I end it with shame…and this day was no exception.

Check out Psalm 32:8-10,

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

I love the direction this verse points us…it takes us right to God.

The truth is, without God’s leading over my path I’d have so many more Fourth of July Freak Outs. Granted I’d love for zero, but nonetheless the closer I walk with Him my bad attitude fizzles out, my hot words melt, and my cold heart warms with Jesus’ love.

Walking with Him just makes sense, and it brings calm to so many potential outbursts before they have any time to unload. This happens by staying in the Good Word, committed prayer, and fellowship with other believers as we hold one another accountable.

This Christian thing isn’t easy. It requires obedience, mercy and grace, and a humble heart.

When I act on my own, I neglect or refuse to acknowledge those things, but when I keep in-line with Christ all of them fall into place like the most beautiful of any firework display, the type that causes you to ‘oooh and ahhh!’

Instead of battling Fourth of July Freak Outs, I want to proclaim victory through Him where the best kind of freedom is truly found in God alone, and streams of color light up not just the sky, but the path of my life as well.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

31 thoughts on “Avoiding Fourth of July Freak Outs”

  1. Thanks for sharing this, Alicia. We all have times like this where we are embarrassed of how we acted, but the fact that you can reflect, repent, and use the experience to minister to others is awesome!

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  2. I love the way you ended this one. 😊 Been there, done that, don’t want to write the book on it! As a writer I often think twice, cuz I don’t enjoy writing about my mistakes. Haha. They still happen anyways, but it’s definitely keeping me more accountable. We’re all learning. A great, and honest post my friend. Love you Ali. ❤

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    1. Thank you ma’am!! Ya I seriously had trouble hitting publish on this one because of shame but then I began to think okay it points to Jesus so here we go!! Thanks for reading my friend!

      Do you ever watch Heartland? My daughters say that its a Canadian film and my sister-in-law got them started on it ..seems like a soap opera drama to me lol

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      1. I understand. It’s not easy to share the stuff we’re not proud of. But I do the same thing you do, I remember that it’s the stuff that speaks volumes. We have to share our rough edges. It’s what helps others to see their rough edges too.

        I have seen commercials for heartland, but have never watched it. It does look like a soap opera, and there is no way that Andrew would ever watched it. Lol. We watched a show for a while called “When Calls the Heart” until Andrew couldn’t stand the plot. Lol. It’s probably a similar type show.

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  3. Sorry I laughed. I pictured the scene. Thank you for sharing. Your family loves you regardless and asking for forgiveness is humility at work. You are setting a good example for your children and parents here. Some parents just don’t like to admit they were wrong.

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    1. Lol I laugh about it now too but great grief when I’m being a jerk or right after there’s certainly no giggles…oh that I would practice humility 24/7 lol
      …I have a friend who doesn’t apologize to her children when she’s in the wrong and seeing the pride in that situation has caused me to see how truly important it is to be sure and apologize and seek forgiveness…I’m thankful I can recognize and admit when I’m wrong

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  4. Oh, yes. I KNOW if left to myself, I can be a terrific. I know that about myself. The bit in the mouth is welcomed.

    Also, I don’t know if you saw, but I did answer your Sunshine Blogger questions & nominated 11 others. So fun to follow through. Glad I did. -Alan

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    1. Yes I need a muzzle sometimes lol!!! I’m catching up reading posts today and tomorrow so I’m anxious to read your answers to the Sunshine Award!! Sometimes the anticipation of reading these posts is similar to opening Christmas gifts❤️

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  6. I have always been a freak out person, so I understand and God holds me now but it slips thru and I am so saddened by my actions. I do apologize but the hurt still rings.:(

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  7. You are in good company dear mama! We all have had those “yelling” days that even those in a coma will stay in a coma just to avoid the sting of our lips. I love that after though, the Holy Spirit causes to do a retrospection and this always leaves us humbled and more aware than ever how much we needsssss Jesus. I love this..
    “Walking with Him just makes sense, and it brings calm to so many potential outbursts before they have any time to unload.”

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    1. Thank you!! And not that it justifies my actions or words but simply discussing and being real about my outbursts and hearing that I’m not alone is helpful..may we all be an encouragement to one another in our flaws and honesty!

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    1. Yes same here! He makes it so much easier. I’m glad you can comment on my post, I’m still struggling being able to on yours. I was able to send two small ones today to you and then went to do a third one and it messed up again, darn it!

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      1. I’ve been having problems on a lot of sites lately so I’m surprised I got to comment. Hopefully WP will work out all of these issues. I did notice that I have to refresh the page before I could comment, though.

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  9. I can relate to this big time, especially the freaking out when running late. I’m horrible about this. It landed me in the cardiology office, and now I have to take pills….so yeah. God’s still working on me. I’m better than I used to be, but I have a long way to go.

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    1. Oh my goodness, that’s horrible! K see hopefully God will help me resonate your story in my heart and mind and I’ll set the alarm ten or fifteen minutes earlier!! I gotta get my time management under control lol
      Thanks for reading 😉

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