Replenish

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7


Living out in the country has its advantages and disadvantages. Our kids go to a school that is about 50 minutes away, so every weekday we make the daily commute to and from our little town. My husband is a foreman who also has a long trek to and from work, if he is scheduled to get out at 5:30, he'll typically arrive at 7:00-7:30, due to distance and traffic. My problem is getting to our Wednesday Bible study, after the trip to pick up the kids at 4:00 and getting home at 5:00, rushing to cook dinner and get ready for church, is sometimes an impossible. Then there are the times that my husband can't join us....makes me feel overwhelmed and exhausted with our 2 year-old.

When we can't make it, my 12 year-old son, gets upset and makes me feel guilty. My kids really look forward to Wed. and Sun. services. I think to myself, "Isn't it suppose to be the other way around- the parents trying to get their kids to go to church?" Talk about feeling like a bad mom, bad example, bad Christian! How can I talk the talk and not walk the walk? Excuses, Excuses, right?

Well, I have been praying for the Lord to strengthen my relationship, and get us to those Wednesday night studies. My grandfather lives about five minutes from our church, I asked the kids if after school they would like to visit and cook great-grandpa some dinner... my son's eyes lit up with JOY! I explained, while I cook dinner, they could spend time with grandpa and wait for dad to meet us there and then we would be off to church.

We arrived early! It was really nice seeing everyone, my son was running around playing with his friends, the women's Bible study replenished my thirsty soul, paid for my daughter's youth conference. Everyone had a smile on, including my exhausted husband.

As we made our way inside our home, talking about each message and what we learned from our Bible study....It felt as we were walking in the "Twilight Zone" (music playing in the background) Chaos eruptted...homework...uniforms...progress reports...

Our tiny Chihuahua, Pinky ran out of her home and into the laundry room. I asked my 12 year-old son to go take a look, because due to past events...Pinky likes to poop in there. Obviously, my pre-teen son, assured me that didn't happen. As he picked up his beloved pet and headed to bed, I decided to walk in the washroom to grab some clothes...

Yes, I stepped in a mound of fresh, smelly, gooey poop. Simultaneously, my two year-old grabbed a packet of What-A-Burger (jumbo size) ketchup and squeezed, sending gushes of ketchup on his face, clothes, shoes and the floor. Mind you, my husband was going over progress reports and didn't look too happy.

I forgot all about what I had learned at the Bible study, it was 10:00 P.M. and all that was before me was more work.

After much disarray, I was getting ready for bed, I caught a glimpse of my Bible on the bathroom counter. Brought it to bed and started to replenish everything that had spilled out the moment I started SCREAMING and SCOLDING my boys.

Yes, I felt guilty; I had just came home from our Wednesday night Bible study. Didn't I learn anything? I had prayed for patience and wisdom. The Lord provided an avenue to get us where we needed to be. Although, last night I excercised no patience, this morning was different, I made an extra effort to be kind and patient. After all life is full of poop, and it's not going to deter me from getting to where I need to be.

Thank you Lord for providing my family and I a way to your home. I am grateful for my spiritual husband and God-loving children. Help me be a better mother, teacher, example and give me the wisdom to use the knowledge that you have placed in my heart, for I will continue to seek you and knock on as many doors needed.