Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A Do-Over Please

"Mom, you have some of Annalyse's snot from her nose on your back!" exclaimed Grady Lee, quite loudly and without any inhibition of saying so while we were in the Target check-out line. This encouraging comment came while I was furiously loading the conveyor belt, watching Annalyse chew on a still-in-the-peel banana, and listening to Micah rehearse his ABC's to a bent-over-her-walker and not-looking-like-she-had-a-lot-of-patience lady behind us in line.

I wanted a do-over.

"Grady gave some challenges," his therapist mentioned the other day. "He was resistant to my efforts and even kicked me when I said he wouldn't get to choose a lollipop from the prize box." This conversation happened just after that same resistant five year old slammed a door on me as I walked into the therapists office.

I wanted a do-over.

I felt my nose drip. "Darn it," I thought. "I've caught Annalyse's cold." Because I was busy making breakfast I gave a good sniff and continued stirring oatmeal. It wasn't until the drips came faster and faster, landing uncontrollably in the oatmeal, that I noticed it wasn't the beginning of a cold. Nope, just a classic bloody nose. A bloody nose while making breakfast for three very hungry (and quickly-getting-impatient) kids.

I wanted a do-over.

Micah prayed before his lunch the other day: "Dear Jesus, thank you for this lunch. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the whole wide world that you created. Please help me to never disobey. And please help Mommy not to use her really, really, really, really loud voice again. Amen."

I wanted a do-over.

Today is Wednesday. I have three more days left in this week to prayerfully turn things around. I can't control circumstances, but I can control attitude. I can't control my kids, but I can control my responses.

Thank you, Jesus, that you freely and graciously offer do-overs again and again. This needy Mom feels as though she's reached out to you for one too many so far this week. Thank you, Jesus, that you don't hold a limit and that your do-over bucket never runs dry.

9 comments:

  1. So real, Sarah...and since seeing your post on FB, I've been praying for you today and will continue to do so this week.

    You are doing important work for His glory.

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  2. Sarah, I'm sorry for your rough day...I have needed several do-overs today, as well. I have wanted them for myself & for my kids. Wow, some days are just rough! I wish I had something wise to share. I, too, am soooo thankful that His mercies are new every morning, but some days I wish I were better at stopping & giving myself or my kids an immediate do-over...
    Grace & peace for the rest of your week!

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  3. Ugh...I have been there friend! I'm sorry that it was a rough day...and that I read this blog this morning and not yesterday BEFORE I asked you how you were doing. Then I could have just said...I'm praying for you! :-) Do not grow weary, my sweet friend, in due time you WILL reap! Praying for an abundance of grace to wash over you...and no more bloody noses...and definitely no colds!!!

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  4. Oh Sarah I wish I would have known you were having a bad week when I saw you yesterday. We all need do overs sometimes. I will pray that your week gets better and that you have a refreshing weekend!

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  5. Oh girl... bless your heart! What a week you have had so far! We've all been there and I too am so grateful for the Lord's mercies and infinite GRACE! Praying that the rest of your week is sweet and peaceful. HUGS!!!!
    Oh, and just as a side note...I LOVED Annalyse's cute pink coat last night. Sophie and I admired it (and her) as Grady was dropping her off in the nursery. It was so darling!

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  6. Sarah - I am right there with you sister!! God's grace is so wonderful. Embrace it and move forward!

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  7. Your vulnerability is such an encouragement! Thanks for the reminder to be real with people and not fake like we have it all together, because some days (most days over here) we don't. But I firmly believe that God will bless my meager efforts if I keep striving to live for Him, no matter how many times I fail. Praise the Lord for His goodness and grace! Praying for you -Erica

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  8. Thank you thank you dear Sarah for this reminder. Oh do I need God's grace and...do overs!

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  9. this was for me today, for this week really. thank you. love you friend.

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