bath day :)



my life looks just like yours...

FULL...

full of...

doctor's appts, dentist appts, orthodontist appts,

athletic practices... language tutoring...

school supply shopping... dog patrol...

house work... laundry duty...

and on and on and on...

in these FULL days i often times

get so busy with my TO DO LIST,

 that i forget, that above all else...

 i am to SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST...

beginning in my home!

this was certainly the case on saturday...

as my patience began to seep away!

between the shout outs...

"pick up your clothes!",

"don't feed that to the dog!",

"what is that and how long has it been in your room?"

"cheese curls are not a breakfast food!"

"the floor is not a pool!"

"i am not air conditioning the outdoors!"

"no! sugar is not a necessary food group!"
"don't hit your brother!"
"yes twisting in a pretzel is considered wrestling!"

enough, right?!...

i was discussing my waining disposition with the Lord...

when i decided that for therapy i would wash the puppies

(yes i have considered professional counseling) :))

and during that TIME OUT for mommy,

God showed up!!

not in the way i had hoped...

to bring discipline to those rowdy kids,

instead He in His sovereignty
brought discipline to a momma...

that needed some perspective!

see as i placed Marlee in the sink,

she shook and whined and moved...

when all i was trying to do was help her.

she was dirty and stinky,

but she wanted no part of the cleaning!

as i tried to speak soothing words over her

she couldn't hear them for trying so hard to remove

herself from the bathing area!

even though somewhat uncomfortable for her,
what i was trying to do was for her good...

but she was fighting against it...

making what should have been easy

so much harder!

as i held her tight in the towel,

lovingly reminding her...

how much i love her and

only want to care for her...

i heard God CLEAR!!

ugggggggggggggggggh!!

WHEN WILL I GET IT!

i am Marlee,

shaking, whining and moving...

when i know that

God allows what i need for my best!!

to be my best for HIS GLORY!!

it's not about me and my comforts,

it is about HIM and HIS KINGDOM!!

as i pray for the "Fruits of the Spirit"...

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and

self-control...

God is bathing me with opportunities to

exercise them...

every second of every day,

beginning in my home!

and if i will see the things that happen

as opportunities to shine HIS LIGHT,

then maybe i won't wiggle so hard...

to get around them!

because here is what i know...

at the end of the bathing experience...

if i will allow His Glory to be revealed...

if i keep things in perspective...

if i allow Him to flow through me...

IT IS ALL WORTH IT!!

every golden chance i am given to

exercise His grace

has been afforded me by Him!

so i will face my bathing today

as what it is...

an opportunity to SHINE HIS LIGHT!