As I mentioned last time, these are lessons learned on Sunday, Mother’s Day. My second hiccup happened right before tucking the munchkins in bed. I asked the girls to brush their teeth. Well, some disobedience followed because of mommy’s crazy request. A toothbrush flew angrily in the sink, and toothpaste splish-splashed in various places. And of course, a few grunting words of discontent were made clear to mommy.
Once again, nothing better to show my sinful nature than to have kids to push your buttons. I was not a happy camper.
Before tucking the girls in bed we prayed. As my turn came to pray, I heard my own voice pleading on behalf of my friends: separated families because of bureaucracy, other friends dealing with cancer, others losing dear ones, others struggling with severe financial fears.
We also prayed for someone we know who has no bed to lie in, no food to complain about, no parents alive to get mad at, no children to push his buttons, no sink to toss a toothbrush in.
As I was listening to myself talk to Jesus on behalf of others, the prayer seemed to be a sermon to myself. I heard these words many times “A prayer will not change God, but it might change the one who prays.”
On mother’s day at lunch, I let my heart get downcast over a wet-puppy look in search for insulin. After dinner my heart was troubled over a tossed toothbrush. How will my heart wake up tomorrow morning? Annoyed at every little thing that’s really not that major, or will I focus on others who hurt greater than me?
I need to stop ‘crying wolf’ at each unpleasant, or unexpected event through the day. Cry your pain when there’s real hardship. Till then, enjoy those minor complications in your life.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages us to do the following: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Today, I just want to say THANK YOU Jesus:
- for a house that I get to clean when it’s messy
- for friendships where I get to learn to forgive, and ask to be forgiven
- for a job that makes me tired and provides, so I could have a reason to look forward to a break
- for children that push my buttons, and show me where I need to grow
- for a sink to toss an angry toothbrush in… not everyone has a sink
Things I need to work on:
- Count my blessings, name them one by one.
- Pray for those in greater need than me.
- Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18