On Being "Boring" And Giving Thanks
It had been a long day. I had worked hard to keep the kids engaged- books, games, a walk, playing outside. I was tired from the heat, interrupted nights of sleep, and just the general maintenance of my home and children. I stood at the kitchen sink cleaning up dinner, a dinner that I'd made from scratch and then eaten in segments, interrupted by everyone's needs and a baby feeding session.
"Mom," Graham asked, "will you play ball with me?"
"No, my hands are busy. And I'm tired. I'm just about done for the day." I answered, a little bluntly.
"Aw, you're boring!" he whined.
I couldn't believe it. What in the world?? Didn't he consider all that I'd done, all that I do every day? I was anything but boring. Why was he so ungrateful? I turned to snap at him. And then, the Spirit pricked my heart.
How many countless times am I complaining, asking for MORE, and ungrateful to my heavenly Father? Every day. Every moment, every breath, is a gift. Every meal, every night of rest (even if the rest is broken up), every time I walk freely in the sun, every day I spend with these kids and my husband. Countless gifts. And yet, I forget so easily. I groan about this and that, wish I were here or there.
I want to raise godly and grateful children in the Lord. This work of motherhood is such a sanctification, as I have to examine my own heart constantly. To lead by example, to pray faithfully, to love well, to give thanks in all things. I need Him every hour.
This time, I brushed off my child's immature response. We will keep practicing gratitude together. He needs grace, just like me.
"Mom," Graham asked, "will you play ball with me?"
"No, my hands are busy. And I'm tired. I'm just about done for the day." I answered, a little bluntly.
"Aw, you're boring!" he whined.
I couldn't believe it. What in the world?? Didn't he consider all that I'd done, all that I do every day? I was anything but boring. Why was he so ungrateful? I turned to snap at him. And then, the Spirit pricked my heart.
How many countless times am I complaining, asking for MORE, and ungrateful to my heavenly Father? Every day. Every moment, every breath, is a gift. Every meal, every night of rest (even if the rest is broken up), every time I walk freely in the sun, every day I spend with these kids and my husband. Countless gifts. And yet, I forget so easily. I groan about this and that, wish I were here or there.
I want to raise godly and grateful children in the Lord. This work of motherhood is such a sanctification, as I have to examine my own heart constantly. To lead by example, to pray faithfully, to love well, to give thanks in all things. I need Him every hour.
This time, I brushed off my child's immature response. We will keep practicing gratitude together. He needs grace, just like me.
"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever." -Psalm 106:1
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting on our blog!