Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Humbled by the Sweetness

How kind it is of God to offer us reminders when in the midst of struggles. Today has been one of those very busy run around days which does not settle well with one of my children. As is the way of things, as the day went on he struggled more with his attitude which translates into my attitude. So when bedtime came and went and this child popped out of bed for the third time, I was about done. I was trying not to completely loose my temper, but as my child so apptly pointed out....I was not being very kind, and he did not like that. And then, and this is the best part, he stopped and turned to me and said, "Mommy, I think we need to pray for you, you are really struggling." . Then it gets better. He asked if I wanted to pray first, and just like an angry child, I said no. So he said ok, and this was the beginning of his prayer " Dear Jesus thank you for giving me such a wonderful mommy, please help her right now because she is really struggling. " At that point, I was just broken, and the Lord just softened my heart. (and yes, I did cry... which one of you wouldn't?) Afterwards, I prayed and asked him to forgive me for being angry, which he did. Then he went off to bed with a smile saying..." my prayers worked, Mommy is herself again". What more can I say. Sometimes the children we struggle with the most are the ones that God uses to bless us even more so.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Boys, and Tools, and Doors, Oh My..!

So one of my babies turned 9 on Friday. I just can't believe it...where has the time gone. It's so fun to watch them grow and change. Though some things probably never will. For instance a young boys' propensity to get into trouble. This is what I mean. Christopher got a great set of real tools for his birthday, which he was thrilled about. He decided Monday that he was the Lowe's guy and was looking for things to fix. All fine until I hear his calling me...."Mommmmmy, I need help" over and over again. No I don't run right away unless I hear pain, cause usually they are fine and need to help themselves anyway. On with the story, so I did decide to go and at least check because with tools and a boy, you just never know. Boy was I right. I found him in my bathroom with the door closed and locked and the doorknob on my side of the door on the floor and him looking through the hole where the knob belonged. At first my temptation was to be upset that he was taking apart my door, but then I was reminded that what can be taken apart can be put back together. So I told him to ask his brother for help on getting out. Not long after, I had a very proud boy, who had managed to rescue himself (with a little help from his brother), and learned how to install a doorknob.

So you probably thought it ended there. Well, you'd be wrong for you forgot that Tuesday was yesterday and said boy is still playing fixit guy. This time it was the toilet. They decided to take the lid off to see how it worked and see if any improvements could be made. Well, in the process, the lid fell on Christopher's hand, crushing his fingers, one in particular. After watching it swell up and turn all shades of blue and purple, we decided to splint it since it looked a bit like a break or fracture. He now has his first war wound and is happily sporting his "broken" finger for all to see. So for all of you boy owners out there, just be ready for the tools, because they will come.