Forgiveness

Do you ever just know, right from the beginning of the day, that it's going to be a long day? That's how my Monday started out. Even before I got out of bed, I was desperately praying I would choose to accept the Lord's offer of grace I knew was sufficient for my feelings of inadequacy for the coming day.

Along about early afternoon, I rejected that grace a couple of times. I got upset with the boys for just "being boys". I was already pouting about not being able to fit a nap in for ME. And their boyishness just didn't fit in with my selfish need for peace and quietness.

Shortly thereafter, I knelt down in front of both boys and told them that Mommy was wrong, and I was sorry for having a bad attitude to them, and would they please forgive me. Kenny gave me a hug and said, "It's ok, Mommy. We weren't helping anything." Samuel reminded us all that no one had been doing a good job of obeying the verse we've been working on. Romans 12:10 - "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another."

I love that my little men are so ready and willing to forgive, even when I blow it.

After fellowship was restored, we piled in the van and went to the grocery store; and had the best time ever. I had Heidi on my back in the Ergo, and Sam was riding in the seat of the cart. Kenneth was standing on the front, "driving". We were a "semi truck" going through the store. Sam was making the engine noise (complete with the shifting of gears), and Kenneth operated the imaginary "air brakes". We had an all around jolly time being silly together. When we checked out, the cashier gave the boys a free balloon, so that was fun too!

It sure beat being grumpy, that's for sure!

Random Acts...

You know those Youtube videos that were circulating earlier this year, those "random acts of culture"? Like this. Pretty neat, right?

Well, on Friday, I got to be part of something so much more awesome. Jonathan had taken a sick day on Friday (he slept for FIFTEEN hours straight on Thursday night/Friday morning...I think the man was worn out!). When he and the children laid down for a nap mid afternoon, I left to run some errands. I took a meal to a couple in our church, decorated the fellowship hall at church for our Easter Breakfast, and made an exchange at Kohl's. My final stop was our local Meijer grocery store at about 8:00pm. I hurried in to grab the 3 things I needed, and on my way out I was softly (I thought) whistling "Blessed Assurance" to myself. I was just getting ready to start the chorus, when an older gentleman in the row over from me started SINGING the chorous. In a full, rich, baritone voice.  So I started singing as well. Halfway through a lady and her daughter joined us, and an older couple.
Now THAT is what I call awesome!! There in the Meijer parking lot, we had our own little worship service. When we'd finished the chorous, there was "God Bless You!" and "Happy Easter!" called across the parking lot, and we all went our ways. That worship of our Lord Jesus lasted just a minute, but all the way home I thanked God for His body, and how we can fellowship in the most unlikely places.