“Wake up, girls! It’s time to get up and get ready for church!” I yell out as I walk down the hallway towards the girls’ bedrooms. I hear a faint “okay” followed by moans. Seeing that the girls have started to move about, I go back to my room to start getting ready myself. A few minutes later, my middle one shuffles in and asks, “What should I wear?” I tell her to just pick out a long-sleeve top and a pair of leggings. She says (whines) that she wants to wear a skirt and needs my help. I follow her back to her room and run thru several outfits, going back and forth between her non-stop whining and me doing my best to maintain my cool. I finally just step away and tell her to figure something out. After prodding me for more suggestions, she finally settles on an outfit and goes downstairs.
Tired from a long week and on my last nerve, I go back to my room to finish getting ready. To save time, I tell the girls to start brushing their hair and ask my oldest to help with my youngest. When I get downstairs I see my middle one playing around with her toys, her hair completely disheveled. And I just lose it. I start yelling and screaming. I can’t contain my anger and I just let it all out on her. I’m angry with my daughter, angry with the situation, an then angry at myself for losing control. The whole scenario felt all too familiar. God was testing my patience and I had failed miserably once again. I think to myself, what a great way to start Sunday morning.
You can imagine the mood in the car on the way to church. I felt like an utter failure, as a child of God and as a parent. I turn on K-LOVE for some relief and the song, “Your Grace is Enough” by Chris Tomlin comes on. As I hear the words, “Great is your faithfulness oh God. You wrestle with the sinner’s heart. You lead us by still waters and to mercy. And nothing can keep us apart….Your grace is enough for me,” tears start streaming down my face. I realize that God’s grace is more than enough to cover all of my sins, shortcomings and failures. I just need to surrender and let Him take control.
That song came on at just the right moment. I felt God reminding me of His unconditional grace just when I needed to hear it. And He didn’t stop there. He provided constant reminders throughout these past couple of days. The two hymns we happened to sing at the BSF meeting on Monday was Grace Greater Than Our Sin and Amazing Grace. In my small group, God’s abundant grace was once again the focus as Moses blessed the tribes of Israel before they were about to enter the Promised Land.
God knows our hearts. God knows what we need. God provides. The words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 never rang so true, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Have a blessed rest of the week!
Linking up with these lovelies: Unite | Word Filled Wednesday | A Little R & R | Coffee and Conversation | Thursday Favorite Things | SHINE | Fellowship Fridays | Faith Filled Friday | Faith & Fellowship | Grace & Truth
I can relate to this post as this was how I felt or needed to be promised or reminded of yesterday. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
Thanks, Rachel. I think we can all relate to moments like these. It’s so reassuring to know that God’s love and grace is unconditional.
I so, so can relate to this… I had one of those days yesterday and prayed about it this morning. So needed to read this today, thanks for sharing that verse!
Thanks, Carrie. I’m glad you were blessed with God’s word thru this post!
Beautifully written -xx
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks, Shauna!
Thanks for this post. I had a rough morning and lost it with my 4 year old daughter. I needed to hear this. I’m adding 2Corinthians 12:9 as one of my memory scriptures. Thanks for all you do. I LOVE your blog.
We all have those mornings, don’t we? I’m glad my post provided some relief. Thank your for your feedback. I really appreciate it!
hi cynthia, i remember those days too well. we also had 3 little girls. they are now grown and 2 of them are in their 40’s! wow, the time flew by. now we have 5 granddaughters and 2 grandsons:)
fortunately, GOD forgives us…so do our kids, when we ask.
Ahhh, Sunday morning, the great sifter of all Christian mums.
I loved hearing about the way God turned it all around for you. Discovered your blog for the first time at Simple Moments’ Friday link-up. Blessings on your weekend!
It’s so encouraging to know that I am not the only mom that has those moments! So thankful for God’s grace and His help to do better!
Oh, Cynthia, none of us are perfect. He is always there for us and loves when we call upon Him. Thank you for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things. Blessings to you!
YES — and the worst part about grace (or “worst” I should say) is that we COMPLETELY DON’T DESERVE IT. It’s actually a prerequisite for grace – we have to have NO OUNCE of deserving it in order for its beauty to shine. Which is so hard to accept, but makes the gift of grace even more precious. <3
What a beautifully written piece. I can not even count the number of times I have heard a song on KLOVE that just spoke to my heart and sometimes brought me to tears. God uses songs and lyrics in such special ways! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Every day is a new day to start over is what i tell myself when i feel this way. And lately my conviction had led me to apologize when i lack patience or lash out yelling. Give your kids the same grace God offers us but most importantly give YOURSELF that grace too.
Thank you for your raw honesty on your frayed nerves and the impact that the reminder of God’s grace had on you during that drive. What an amazing blessing it is to have whispers of grace echo in our everyday lives, through a song on the radio or through a friend’s encouragement.
I’m glad I found you through the Faith & Fellowship link-up!
Ah, such grace. I’m reveling in it right along with you. How completely merciful that our “falls” don’t have to be “fails.” A righteous person falls seven times and rises again (Proverbs 24:16), and His mercies are new every morning. Hallelujah! I’m glad you linked up with us at Grace & Truth!