From beast to beauty-a difficult transformation

It wasn't until we were at the cabin watching one of Ava's favorite princess movies Beauty and the Beast that it hit me...panifully...I am like the beast. My tendency to react negative too quickly to something the children do only proves my theory. If you remember from the beloved classic tale the beasts' servants remind him over and over "You must learn to control your temper!" This struck me a few days ago. I want to be like Beauty: soft-footed, long flowing hair, a gentle spirit, a kinder heart, and a waist size that is dreamy! So, I am praying for those things but not counting on the hair and waist part so much. I remembered the fruits of the spirit in my plea with the Lord to help me be more patient and respond more kindly with my children. One of the key points that stuck out as I read Galatians 5:22-23 was that self-control was among them. I am too often reminded of times when I have said something unkind to someone I love or to a stranger because I am choosing to be selfish. There isn't always going to be a chance to seek forgiveness or reconciliation. Take this for example.. I was on the phone Saturday morning with Toys R Us, the children were running crazily through the house...screaming! I heard the doorbell ring. I was in my nightgown and wasn't about to open the door so I used the little speak easy window on our front door because by this time the strangers have knocked and Sophia pushed the chair over to answer the door for me. I kindly said "Oh, no thank you" and proceeded to close the little door when the lady said "Oh, we aren't selling anything, we are just here to encourage voters to say Yes to marriage as a man and woman...."at this time the representative from Toys R Us is on the line asking for a model number, the kids are assuming grandma is here and are bouncing all around screaming "grandma" and I unkindly react by saying "I don't want to talk to you right now, it is not a good time." Ok it may have sounded firm but kind but trust me my spirit wouldn't have been convicted if that's all it was. So after the burden I am feeling for being so rude I decide to throw on some clothes, throw the kids in the bike trailer where we proceeded to ride up and down the streets for 30 minutes so I could find those ladies and apologize. However; I never found them and though the Lord forgave me I still have a twinge of guilt for not rectifying the situation. So...It only takes a moment to spew venom that lasts forever. Hopefully this has been a turning point for me to be a better wife, mom, friend and stranger. Now it is off to watch Snow White, maybe all the animals from the surrounding area will gather around me as I sing! I may just have a blue jay land on my finger :)