On Today Being a New Day
I'm mildly optimistic that today might be a better day with the little people in my life. I'm hopeful for bluer skies and yellower flowers.
I'll be honest {which is what I try to be over here in blogville}, I'm feeling rather overwhelmed by the sibling arguing/fighting/name-calling and a general lack of peace in our home due to said conflict.
I blubbered all over Jack's frisbee shirt last night saying things like, "I can't take one more minute of the kids fighting" and "It starts the second they wake up and doesn't finish until they argue for the last time in the bathroom at bedtime, about who gets the toothpaste first."
And so as I sat in weariness brought on by my children in conflict and my inability to effectively deal with my children in conflict, I was thankful that I didn't have to go this alone. I have a God who does care about my weariness and has promised to help ... "He is faithful to his promises and loving toward all he has made." {Psalm 145:13}
Isaiah 40:30-31 says "Even youths grow tired and weary {I consider myself a youth over here even though my first digit starts with a four} and young men {and women} stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I also am fortunate enough to have an amazing husband. After he let me carry on and get snot everywhere last eve, he had a brilliant idea. Let's come up with a plan to work on their behavior. It's unacceptable and it needs to change. Starting tomorrow. He even suggested that he could wake them up and we could talk right then and there. I said, "NO WAY. I FINALLY JUST GOT THEM TO SLEEP. As overwhelmed as I am, it can wait 'til tomorrow."
And so we came up with a few ideas that we'll try today. And tomorrow. And the next. I'll be honest, it wasn't like I was jumping up and down with hope that things can change because the reality is, I've been singing this song for a couple of years now. But, there was a smidge of hope in my weary little heart last night as I crawled into bed.
And that hope really had less to do with our plan and more to do with God's promise.
One of my all-time favorite verses in this season of parenting...
Isaiah 40:11 says "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
That's me. I'm His little lamb. He's there and wants to carry me close to His heart. He wants to gently lead me, the gal that has young ones in tow. Will I let him? Will I take God up on His promise?
I'm thankful that I have a God that I can count on when I feel overwhelmed and at a loss. God is there and He is so very interested in my today.
And that fact that my today can be a new day.
With new strength.
And new hope.
His Hope.