Too Easy

As I got off the plane from New York and pulled my bags out to our van, my joy at seeing my family was mixed with intrepidation at the prospect of all that I have to do this summer.  Instead of yielding to thankfulness in that moment, I was already worrying about unpacking and repacking for our next trip.  Being able to anticipate needs is the life work of every mother.  I have let this ability kill too much joy in my life.

Yesterday, after I had lectured my poor children on their tendency to be ungrateful, I plopped myself down in church and let God's word feed me.  It was an amazing feast.  I was reminded that no amount of work on my part will change my righteousness, or that of my children.  I cannot do God's job.  My job is to believe that God will keep His promises, and to thank Him for all that I have.  My work is to remember who God is and to stop trying to DO all the work for Him.  My lack of faith, more often than not, is that something so simple can possibly work.  How can dropping to my knees and telling God about my obstacles possibly remove them?  Faith truly does move mountains, if we will believe it.

Giving thanks in ALL things is the evidence of this faith.  Recognizing that saying "it's not fair!" is asking God to remove His grace and let us live in our own hell.  Life is not fair, Thank God.  He gives us grace that we do not deserve, and it is all good.  We don't deserve our families, our homes, sunshine, breakfast, but God pours these gifts on us anyway.  Joy comes in recognizing that God is good, and opening my eyes to the abundant gifts all around me.  This thankfulness keeps me from looking at my kids and seeing only their lack.  I am thankful for them, each and every one of them, each and every personality, each and every talent, each and every precious soul.  These very simple things strip away all the anxiety, all the pressure of doing.  They remind me how small I am and how great God is, and somehow in God's providence this restores peace in my soul.

#573-583

Birds singing to the sunrise.

The incredibly delicious scent of lilacs everywhere.

Eggs.

Sleepy children curling up next to me, telling me about dreams of lemonade stands.

Neighborhood entrepreneurs selling lemonade, Kool-aid, and Italian sodas.  The gracious folks that stop and purchase these delights.

Unmade beds, lots of them.

Extra children in my home, most of the summer.

Evening lightning shows.

Starry nights.

Worshipping God with the saints, filling my soul with peace.