You know those days that just don’t go exactly right? They seem to fill me with an even greater amount f discontent. Like maybe the rose tinted glasses got knocked off, and you picked up the gray ones instead.
The kind of day that…
-piano lessons got postponed because I never got her the books
-I got a call from the coach asking why practice was missed
-There were no swim shorts for swim lessons
-The store I picked in a hurry to buy shorts was WAY over priced
-Once in the car we realize these wickedly expensive shorts have no lining. What?!? How are they even swim shorts then?
-I wished my hair was longer so I could french braid it
-I don’t even know how to french braid
-The floor looks dirtier than normal
-The 3 week long head ache comes back in the middle of Costco
-The girl can’t help but have 85 screaming fits (75 of those were in the middle of Costco)
-You feel the urge to yell “don’t judge me!” when you pop open the box of fruit snacks right there in the middle of Costco
So, I decided that “I was having a rough day.” Then, I just decided to park there. But then I asked myself why? Why stay here? Didn’t I just spend a 7 week long bible study realizing we are on a journey? I am not staying here; I am on a journey. After dinner was done, groceries were put away, Gabe was at bible study, and the kids were happy in front of the boob tube I spent some time on my face in front of the Lord. Father, it is so good to be in your arms. To be on a path that is bringing me straight to you. I know it is so easy to take a path to the left or the right, but help me to stay on the path to you. Some times there are caution signs along way. “Caution: baby with a crazy shrill scream up ahead!” But there is no turning back. That path takes me to you. Some times the path is hard with a double stroller, and 2 little men along side, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. You wouldn’t have it any other way.
After praying and reaching out to my Abba Father, I did some reading on Peace and Joy. When a day has a sign marked “rough road ahead” it is so easy to be filled with pessimism, malice, anger…the feelings I so often let creep into my heart. Mark 7:21 talks about these hideous sins coming from the heart. It makes me sad to think I choose to keep those things there! My book said, “It’s pointless to try to overflow with hope if you’re busy pouring anxiety and fear into your life.” I underlined that with a big, fat, black line! If I pour IN the ugly things, how can I ever expect the good things to come OUT? So, I have 2 verses I am going to work on pouring IN today.
#1 Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.–(pour in the good stuff)
#2 Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –(and the result!)
Of course, in the midst of the “rough day” great things happened, and because we were SUPPOSED to go to swim lessons I had my camera with me. I captured a few things that I wouldn’t normally have captured. These things brought me some hope and peace yesterday. Enjoy.
There is nothing really amazing or artistic about these pictures. They are just my people that God blessed with me, and I love living life with them. In this hugging picture, Olivea slapped Mahlon, and then she hugged him to say she was sorry. I love that he was so happy to accept her apology.
This is my normal view on the way out of Costco. Zeb trying to push the beast of a cart, Malachi ALWAYS is in charge of the soda, Mahlon has the receipt (which will get a happy face drawn on the back), and Olivea wishing the receipt was in her hands.
This hat makes me laugh. I really can’t stand this hat, but he loves it, and like I said it makes me laugh. It so big, and goofy looking. But he won’t believe you even if you tell him that.
I bought these bags for me today. I love that my items came home in cute bags rather than huge boxes that I can’t lift. When we get home, I unload the car, and then the little men bring the items into the house while I put them away. Let me know if you ever see something sitting beside my car (milk, crackers, juice..it happens).
Part of the reason we were running late for swim lessons was because this girl looked so cute today. She loves to get fancy. And today she even wanted a purse. Every girl needs cute tights, a Jane Fonda head band, and a pink purse to go to the sand box. I had to take a few a pictures….rather than get in the shower..Ya, that happens too.
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