Sweet Southern Belle

This morning was one of those mornings when I felt like I should get back in bed and try again another day. Little Belle woke early and was whiny and clingy from the minute she awoke. I was frustrated and raised my voice when she would not stop hanging on my leg while I was trying to get her breakfast ready. Then I snapped at my dear husband, and yelled an ugly word when I stumped my toe and messed up my newly painted toenails. By the time I got in my car around 10:00 to met a friend I was feeling crummy. I knew I let “stress” get the best of me and I was thinking “what in the world is wrong with me?” When I got in my car my Casting Crowns CD was playing. Minutes later one of my favorite songs began to play and it summed up how I was feeling. The song reminded me that no matter how I behave I stand blameless before God. What an amazing truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are some of my favorite words of the song,

I start the day the war begins
endless reminding of my sin
time and time again your truth is drowned out
by the storm I’m in

Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away,
from you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me,
just how far the East is from the West
cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
rising up in me again
in the arms of your mercy I find rest
 you know
just how far the East is from the West
from one scarred hand to the other.

My dear friends have recently recounted lessons learned from their precious child. This morning I learned a lesson from my 17 month old daughter, who for the purpose of this blog we’ll call, little belle.

As little belle was watching Elmo’s World and I was busy getting ready and doing household chores it hit me that I did not give her a morning dose of antibiotic ( for a recent ear infection). I went and carefully filled the syringe with the appropriate amount and went to give it to little belle. She immediately balked at me and refused to take the medication. Since I didn’t feel I had the strength for the fight it would take to force the medicine down her throat I sat the syringe on the dining room table and went on my way. Later I saw little belle with the syringe slowly sucking the medicine out. I thought “Uggh, it had to be on her terms. What am I going to do with this strong-willed child?” And, then I was immediately convicted of my own strong-willed nature with God. How often does God show me “the easy way” and I balk him and insist on my own way?

A few minutes later little belle brought me the syringe to help her get the last bit of medication out and then insisted that I get the sticky mess off of her hands and face. I was once again reminded of my relationship with God. After I’ve gone my way and messed things up I return to him and ask for help cleaning up the mess I’ve made. So, I did what my heavenly father often does with me. I picked up little belle, hugged her, and cleaned up her mess.