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This morning as I was getting ready for church, I heard a knock down, drag out fight between 2T and S.  There was yelling, door slamming, and hysterical crying.  I sat in my room with my door shut, with my own anger rising, wondering what I should do. 

Should I ground them from all electronics for the Christmas break?  Should I make them share a room until they can learn to get along? Should I go out and yell and scream? (because that works so well)  I was at a loss.  When you children start physically hurting each other, it becomes difficult to know what to do. 

Honestly, I was thinking back to the time when I was a teenager and kicked my sister in the stomach.  That was a bad choice on my part.  Sorry mle.

As I was pondering what I should do, an idea started to formulate.  It didn't come all in order, or from me, but I do feel that the information was already in the coffers and the Lord was able to use what I already knew in a way I would have not thought of by myself.

Two scriptures came to mind. 3 Nephi 11:29 " . . .the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil" and Mosiah 2:17 ". . when you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God."

We all learn that the way to love someone is to serve them. Does it work with siblings? Let's find out.

I called the culprits into my room and told them the plan. Without getting mad, or even asking what had happened, I told them that they were inviting Satan's spirit into our home with their actions, and I didn't like it or want it here.  I spoke to them about the scriptures that had come to mind, and what they meant.  I then informed them that they were to do acts of service for each other for the next week.  They each needed to do at least one a day, and report to me when they had done it.

With the rules explained, and a child glaring, we went to church.  We had 3 speakers in Sacrament Meeting. Any guesses what the first 2 were about? SERVICE!  Thank you Heavenly Father.  I felt like I was on the right track, and this was driving the lesson home.

Later in the day, 2T told me that when the talks at church were about service, he was so mad.  He was mad because he knew it was right. 

Don't you love it when Heavenly Father lines up everything to work out for you? Hopefully the kids will take advantage of this learning opportunity.  Hopefully, I will too.