It's The Simple Things

Matthew 6:25-33

It's been potty-training time again.  We started a little over a month ago, but our daughter seemed to get bored of it.  We left it alone and came back to it this week.  I have to admit, I was very intimidated by it.  There is not too much that intimidates me in parenting (so far), but this potty training thing is scary.  I mean, this is for real....the kids have to learn to potty ON THEIR OWN.  Having to be on top of it every second is tiring.  I already have a headache today from running her to the potty every time she said something about #1 or 2.  :o)  But, to her credit, she has 10 stickers up today on her potty chart!

So, why am I bringing up my daughter's bodily functions?  For one, I am very excited that today was a very successful day.  She seems to really understand when the urge is coming, what she is supposed to say and do.  It's only day 2 of what I assume will at least take a week, but we achieved everything today.  So, here's to hoping we're done with diapers by the end of the week (at least during the day)!  Maybe I shouldn't have feared it so much after all.

The other reason I am writing is very personal.  I have been extremely stressed out lately.  In fact, I have noticed some old depression-esque habits creeping back.  We have just been in a tough stretch, as is everyone, mostly dealing with the economic crisis.  After watching my baby so excited about using the potty correctly and at the right time, something hit me.  She doesn't worry about the simple things - the things she needs.  They will come, and when they do, they are welcome.  Getting a sticker is just an extra blessing to her.  She's not using the potty because of the stickers, she's doing it because it's time.

And here I am, trying my best to stay humble, but grumbling every step of the way about unpaid bills, grocery needs and upcoming necessary expenses.  After talking to some of my friends lately and seeing what everyone is going through, I realized I need some perspective.  I need to realize that my needs WILL be met and that things really COULD be worse.  If the LORD is allowing me to go through this, why would He not prepare me and equip me to endure my simple hardships?

I used to always point the finger at people who worried about things that to me were not necessary - but why am I worried about the simple things - the daily needs of life?  Where is my faith?  Now I realize, if there is ANYTHING we definitely should NOT worry about, it's the simple things.  We know to whom we belong - and He is faithful.  He clothes us, feeds us and shelters us, even though we don't deserve it.  And regardless of how He decides to provide for us, He is worthy of our praise and our faith just for the sake of Who He is.  The LORD gives and the LORD takes away - BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

Up Against A Wall

OK, so lately has been tough for us - for me.  And I am starting to realize we are not alone.  Friend after friend have been expressing their difficulties, their struggles, their trials and tribulations.  Today, I realized that sometimes the LORD allows our faith to be "cornered."  There are times that are just so difficult, no answer will suffice.  The only explanation is that G-D is growing our faith in a fantastically weird way.  It's almost like we are being shoved up against a wall...and the questions come like bullets out of a revolver: 

"NOW, do you REALLY believe?  Do you REALLY trust?  Where is your faith NOW?"

I won't attempt to decipher WHO is doing the asking.  But I can tell that these are important, life-changing questions.  When we confess and proclaim over and over again that we serve a Living G-D, that we trust Him with everything, that we belong to Him - there comes a point that we have to reaffirm those beliefs by hard, heart-wrenching decisions.  Sometimes, it seems so hard that we even consider (even if only for a fleeting millisecond) leaving it all behind and giving up everything we have stood for for so long.

We remember the rains, the storms, the tempests.  We remember the times where it seemed there was no way out, no way up, no possible positive solution.  And yet, in every example, something miraculous came of it.  It seems we forget about the "mini"miracles.  They are easy to remember when things are going smoothly, but seem like faded dreams when faced with the new hardship.

So, are you waiting for my proclamation of a glimpse of hope?  You're not going to find it- because in these kinds of times, you wouldn't believe it anyway.... I don't believe it.... 

But, we don't stop hoping for its existence.

If you find yourself in one of those end-of-the-line moments, remember it is not just you.  We are all there, on our own path and trying to find the right solution.  We are a team who fights solitary battles, but there is glory promised if we can just maintain our ground.