Every now and then we have one of those humbling experiences where God has to get in our face and say “hey remember me”. That happened to me one morning last week and I am so thankful that it did.
It was another morning of fussing, cajoling and sweet talking through clenched teeth to get my daughter up and ready for school. Now this is not unusual but some days my patience is just set up different. Not to mention this crazy decision I made to give up coffee for Lent. What was I thinking? Mornings with no caffeine? Anyway, I’m digressing. I think you get the picture.
As the minutes ticked away and her whining increased with every instruction that I gave my patience was dwindling. It ended with me yelling, her crying and me helping (almost pushing) her out of the door. I did tell her to have good day though.
So now here I am all worked up, no coffee to drink and running late. I threw myself together and flew out the door. Phone and earphones in hand because this was definitely a praise and worship kind of morning. Since I was young music has always been my go to when things get a little crazy and this morning definitely fit the bill. I plugged in, turned on my iheart radio and hit the first station on my list.
As I walked along the first block with the music playing in the background I was still fuming. My thoughts were racing and my attention was not on the music. “It’s not fair”, “no more kids for me”, “I never get a break” and on and on and on. By the time I reached the middle of the second block I began to hear the music. And it was like God had slapped me in the face. Lovingly of course. The words began to register:
“I am grateful for the things that you have done.
Yes I’m grateful for the victories we’ve won.
I could go on and on and on about your works
because I’m grateful, grateful so grateful just to praise you Lord.
Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart.
Is gratefulness.”
(Grateful – Hezekiah Walker: http://youtu.be/yE0W-kQyz6A)
Wow! Here I was ranting and raving about something so trivial, so small and all over the world there are woman praying for a child of their own. Women who would love the opportunity to deal with this morning routine. Women who would relish being able to soothe that sleepy child and get her off to school. The tears began to form in my eyes.
As I walked along and with every “grateful” that sang in my ear I just began to thank God. I thanked him for my child. She is healthy and beautiful and a blessing to my life. As that song ended I felt a weight lifted and was just praising God for all that He has done in my life.
And then as if God himself was speaking to me the next song began to play:
“I want you to be blessed, don’t live life in distress
Just let go let God, He’ll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less”
(Yolanda Adams Be Blessed: http://youtu.be/btxQBcxS6yQ)
And then I really just began to praise Him!
What a mighty God we serve! Sometimes we need to be reminded that God is God not matter what. We need to always be thanking Him even as we are going through our toughest times. We need to allow Him to be everything that we need Him to be but in order to do this we have to remain humble. When we accept that we cannot do anything without Him and we are nothing without Him, then He can really show up and show out in our life.
I am sure there will be (many, many) more rough mornings ahead but I am grateful that I serve a father in heaven who loves me enough to remind me to be grateful in all things and that He wants me to be blessed – even when I deserve it the least.
Pray expectantly, Love unconditionally, Grow daily
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