~ George MacDonald~
I must confess I don’t have it all together. Oh I may look and sound like I have it all together but I do not. I seriously try to keep my house clean, but I tend to do the “vacuum the front room” so everyone thinks the whole house it like that. And to be perfectly honest if you came into my house on most days and wanted to use my guest bathroom, I would probably turn beat red. And mumble something like “please realize I have all boys”.
But God never fails to show himself in my everyday things and everyday little gifts. At least once a week I do get enough energy to clean the bathroom, clean my bedroom, do all the laundry and cook dinner (I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan kind of day….) And I am thankful that the Lord gave me the day to accomplish what needed to be done so health services does not visit my house. Then there are days when I am lucky if I pull up my covers as I roll out of bed. During those days I am thankful the Lord has me sitting still and realizing He has everything in control even among the accumulating mess.
God has made me a better wife and a better Mom through some wonderful friends. I have learned how to cook really nice dinners my family will eat, but I have also learned how to open a few cans toss them into the crock-pot and call it dinner by the end of the day. Through the years I have developed more patience with my husband and loving him for who he is, instead of who I thought he was when I married him. And I am thankful that God has shown through marriage that beauty maybe fleeting but love (with Christ as your cornerstone) lasts forever.
I am thankful God does not make me wear the title of “Best Mom” knowing I blew that job two hours after birth when I discovered this was too hard of a job. God is in control of my kids, and my job is to do the best I can, knowing I will mess up. God also has made me aware of the dangers of pride, for anyone who has kids this is one of the first lesson in parenthood. Kids tend to weed out any parental pride.
Through trials that have come my way, God has repeatedly shown me that Gods way is the only way. Sometimes I make the mistake of testing that theory, but I am always proved wrong. God reminds me daily how he is controlling little things like my finances and how I don’t need to worry about the new house we will be purchasing next year. And He has shown me repeatedly how tithing will bring blessings upon blessings upon blessings
I praised God that through all the things I do in my life, all my attitudes, all my short failings I see God in everything. He is there when I wake up and when I lie down to sleep. It is when I realize these little gifts, “then in Him I shall find all things.”
lol I think you took the words out of my mouth! How true we find God in the everyday gifts that we sometimes forget!
(btw, I say I have kids.. lol I think I’ve scared a few with the mess they’ve left!)
Walking with Him each day is the best part. I learn so much by keeping my out for a spiritual moment (or two). With kids in the house, there’s always new things to learn. thanks for the post.
I love the comment about bathrooms, NO ONE is allowed to use the kids bathroom, except the kids. Ugh.
It is so good that He knows exactly what we need and how much and gives each bit at exactly the right time. Praise the Lord. He gives the best gifts and always right on time.
THis was just a sweet post, so full of truth and joy. Thank you for sharing from the heart. Enjoyed my visit this evening.
I could have easily just copied your words and posted them on my blog for this writing! It sounds so much like me! Even the boys and the bathroom! With being pregnant and very gaggy, I have to have my girls do a check in the bathroom before I go in! At least my bathroom has been cleaner!
Thanks for your honest and to heart writing.
“Sometimes I make the mistake of testing that theory”
ouch.
never feels good, does it
very well written
I’m still writing this morning, but you have said it so well I may just send my reader’s here and say “what she said” (except I have preschool girls) Thank you for a beautiful post to start my day!
I always leave your blog with a smile and a chuckle…and a “I know what you mean”…and I only have one girl!!!…and I still haven’t got the hang of cooking or dusting after all these years.
(The photo of that little kitty in your previous post just makes me smile, Laurel Wreath.)
I seriously doubt you blew it two hours after giving birth. No one is responsible for anything at all at that moment. Goodness!
You did a great job with today’s quote. There’s a lot of honesty that all of us can relate to in this post. I can assure you there are times I say to guests, “Oh. Don’t use that bathroom. Use the other one.”
What, you’re not perfect?? That God I have others around that aren’t perfect, or I’d be a mess! Thanks for sharing your post!
“Kids tend to weed out any parental pride.” That’s so true! They humble you more and more, the older they get–teenagers especially!
Amen! I have no need to be perfect, only to do my best in His eyes!
Thank you Laurel for the rminder that I am not perfect – but He is. That He merciful in my shortcomings. I like what you said about your marriage: “Through the years I have developed more patience with my husband and loving him for who he is, instead of who I thought he was when I married him.” I am glad that God has showed me that I make just as many mistakes (if not even more) in our marriage.
I am forever grateful that my salvation and God’s love are not dependant on my performance.
I really enjoyed this post. Where would we be without the Lord?
Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing. By the way, our downstairs bathroom is the same way.
I love this post. You always let me know I am not alone! I am right where you are on the house cleaning, bed making etc. It’s almost scary how you described me almost exactly!
Laurel, I have a question for you about “In ‘Other’ Words”, but I didn’t see your email address posted on your blog. Would you be able to email me if you get a chance, and then I’ll send my question to you?
Darlene
editor@christianwomenonline.net