I can't help but thank God for giving me these experiences to experience. By chaos, one child having a blow out all over her clothes, a second child rolling around on the diaper changing mat that still has not been washed off only wiped down with a wipe (and those that personally know me, know how I hate germs!), and a third child needing to use the restroom (who by the way stuck hands in the pee water in the toilet). So yes this all happened this morning, but I can't help but smile and shake it off because I am beyond thankful that God gives me these experiences to experience! And gives me no two days alike. I never know what is going to happen in my day or how my day will turn out and though, some days I am beyond tired and fall asleep by 8:00, I know I am blessed with a job that I can be home and love on my children. I know people who would want that more than anything. They would love to be with their children daily. I know because I was that person that wanted more than anything to be home with my sweet little boy. (No matter how great his two babysitters were, I still wanted to be the one to raise my child. I wanted to be able to change his diapers ten plus times a day. I wanted to be the one he fell asleep in the arms of. I wanted to be there when he fell and needed a hug and a kiss or when he wasn't filling good and just needed some extra cuddles. I wanted more than anything to be there to calm those tears.) So today after all the chaos, I smiled at my sweet girl, snapped a picture of her, and texted my best friend and husband and told them all about the chaos. That's when I realized how thankful I am to have these experiences to experience. And honestly there was a point in my day yesterday that was just as if not more chaotic. It started out a normal snack time, but slowly turned into so much more. I started preparing snack (cutting up grapes), when a child needed to use the restroom. I put the others at the table and took that child to the restroom. While in there, I had my older son begging for a different snack. I told him he could have an apple instead. He decided he wanted to peel it (and didn't want his older sister's help). I went back to cutting grapes (with the help of older sister's help) while the others sat at the table waiting. I started handing out grapes when the phone rang. I answered as I poured a glass of milk for my toddler, and filled water up for another. Then, my older son cut his finger peeling the apple and another child's mom walked in to pick her up. As she was leaving, I had another grandma show up to pick up. Finally, I had a band aid on the cut and extra toddlers gone and fed as my youngest needed to be breastfed and my toddler wanted to play outside with the older kids. Needless to say I changed diapers, managed to breastfeed little one and get toddler outside for some fresh air all within a short amount of time before we had to head to meet daddy at church. Looking back, I am so thankful for these experiences! I think God has a since of humor. I am sure He looks down on his people and just smile just like we sometimes do after chaotic situations. I think God would want us to laugh at these moments that seem so big at the time but so little looking back on them. I think he would want us to enjoy each and every moment we have with our little ones even the small moments such as diaper changes, feedings, cooking, cleaning, etc. I try to remember to do everything as if I am working for him and not for people just as my favorite verse says "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23. I try to instill this verse in every child I teach; however, sometimes struggle myself with it. After the last couple days I realized I am a mom, wife, and teacher, and that every little and small act I do, I need to be doing it joyfully for the Lord. The last few months, I've been trying to focus on being a Proverbs 31 woman. The last few days has reminded me I am doing just that.
I'm not the perfect mom, wife, or teacher, but if I keep my focus on the Lord and do everything for him, the rest falls into place.
And as I wrote this post I couldn't help to be thankful for this sweet little girl who is asleep while the toddlers sleep so I can have some much needed quiet time!
So as Thanksgiving is fast approaching, what are you thankful for? Are you thankful for all those little experiences? Those little children in your care? Your husband? Your family? Your siblings? Parents? Church family? Friends? I know I am beyond thankful for each and every person in my life! God puts people in our lives for a reason and sometimes only for a season!! Be Thankful!!!!
