Story:
We were at target for milk. It was a simple thing, milk. We stopped by the Halloween section to see the blow up creatures when low and behold we accidentally passed the toy section.
Did I mention that there was no nap today?
Did I mention that our family (which we are so grateful for) graciously took us in while we are trying to sell our house?
Did I mention that the house was damaged in the hurricane?
Did I mention that the people helping to clean it up did more damage?
Did I mention that my husband has started a new career, plus a new church?
Ok, I’m whining and asking questions for dramatic effect.
I am also trying to make myself feel better.
Anyway, we go through toys, which happened to be near the very back of the store and I knew it was time to go. It was 6 pm and someone was getting testy. So I said ‘lets go’… Well, he wanted a box of toys that was $16. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but given the state of things, and the fact that we still have house payments on the house, I thought ‘get a small toy for a dollar or two.’
To make a long story short… We had 3 small tantrums and I knew I was going to have to carry him to the front of the store screaming, and buy the milk, screaming and go out to the car, screaming.
I didn’t want to go through the fight, so I gave in and bought a box of dinosaurs. (Not that he already has about 300 of those.)
So as I was leaving, feeling bad about giving in, feeling bad about spending money unnecessarily - most likely spoiling a child - and being a failure as a ‘mom,’ I tried to see a ‘godly explanation’ for the moment.
Then I realized, there isn’t one. Life is hard sometimes. This has turned out to be a trial that caught me off guard. I also realized something else…
God’s mercies are new every morning.
I am trying to hold onto him and he knows it. I don’t know the outcome and that’s hard for me. He’s faithful and has us in a safe place with people who love us. We have all of our possessions with us here; and, we are on a new adventure.
Moral of the story? God is doing a work that seems to be exciting, though hard.
And I want to encourage you.
Give yourself a break. God knows when we are trying to do right even though things around us are circling out of our control.
It’s ok.
The good news is that I finally had some alone time with him and just sat in his word- and he spoke.
He is working it out.
Funny enough, the scripture I’m quoting is out of the book of Lamentations:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Thank God for his mercies, and his grace. I need it.
