I heard small person feet pitter patter the hard word floors of my bedroom around 6:20ish this morning, and I lay motionless in hopes that the sounds would go away. I heard the child-feet pause for a few seconds in deliberation, Should I wake her up?, squeak out a pivot and turn back toward his bedroom.
A swirl of activity ensued shortly thereafter because today was a special day.
Donuts with Dads.
Lately, my husband has been travelling and away from home with increasing work demands, and to happen to have him home for this event – 30 minutes of all out Harvey boy consumption of donuts AT SCHOOL– was so important to them that they were ready to walk out the door, handsome and packed for school, by 7:05am. Running excitedly through the house, climbing the walls, and bumping against each other…chaos ensued until they finally left at 7:40.
My boys were so grateful to be hosting their dad for thirty minutes of donut eating.
As I have been a bit more of the lone ranger on the home front, I’ve prayed against resentment over my husband’s savory steak dinners while I’m washing more dried marinara off Ikea kid-proof plates. I am asking the Lord to save me from sinking in the lonliness of having my husband gone more and the work that must increase on my part if we are going to survive this season of travel and long work days.
Like many moms, I struggle with feeling defeated in my weaknesses. My biggest weakness is my own body. I feel limited in what I can accomplish, and too often I choose to let my limits weigh me down. His truth preaches to my heart in Psalm 27:5-6.
“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me in the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above all my enemies around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy.
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”
He promises to lift my head up if I will just seek His shelter.
He does not promise to change my circumstances.
But, by lifting me up, the God of the Universe who loves me dearly, promises to help me see Him. And of course, if I’m looking toward the Father, my heart will offer thanks. My heart turns from selfishness to gratitude. And although he doesn’t take away my limitations, he does allow me to be thankful in the midst of them.
Thankful for having plenty on my plate. Thankful for having my husband love me well when he is home. Thankful for the rumbling floors in this house that means boys are alive and active in my presence.
Thankful for 30 minute memories my children will remember years from now, with grateful hearts, like Donuts with Dads.
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