Can you think of a specific time lately in your life where you can look back and say "the Lord was sanctifying me there!!!" I'm sure for most of us this wouldnt be very hard. Just being a mother of two a dozen things swirl through my mind! Then not to mention being a wife, sister, friend etc.
I know the Lord is always sanctifying me. Phillipians 1:6 says "And I am sure of this, he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Why is it though in the moments of our life where God is chiseling something off of us to replace it with something better which will give him great glory and us joy we fail to see it, or sometimes even want it.
Growing in godliness and righteousness, and being transformed from within by the power of his living word is what I want more than anything else. Yet I wander and stray. I can react and respond to situations In such a selfish and "me" centered way, and to top it off think that I deserve to! Wow! How much I need more and more of him and less of me.
This Sunday morning in particular was one of those times. We got to church with no major meltdowns or bruises, everyone dressed, hair combed, and bag packed. Yes, there was some unfinished business left at home (dirty dishes, wet sheets that I forgot to toss in the washer, toys scattered amongst the house) but when in worship to our God I try to leave those concerns far behind me. Addy sits with us during the whole service. She has been doing this since she was about two. It has been an incredible blessing for our family and to see God growing her in so many ways. The first half started off so well. Then came some squirming, and then a little bit more followed by having to go potty twice within 30 minutes. By the way I promise you this child can hold her pee all day if she wanted. And then the belly ache!
Now I completely understand that we are dealing with a four year old here, and kids will do kid things. We don't fault her for that and we extend much grace towards her in those areas. Every parent knows their child though. You catch on pretty quickly when things have become over exaggerated or dramatic. She informed us that her belly hurt so bad that she needed to go home and rest in her bed. I do believe her tummy was bothering her but not to the degree she was acting. So Jared made the decision it would be best for me to go ahead and take both children home and tend to their needs. Immediately I was struggling to have grace for addy because in my mind I knew this was an overly dramatic response to get out of something she didn't want to do at the time. So we packed up and Jared helped me get them to the car. After I told her what we would be doing when we got home which was: lunch and resting in our beds (she did not like the laying in your bed part which was orignally her idea) I kid you not before I pulled onto the interstate her belly was 100% better (her words not mine). The frustration was a little bit higher now. No turning back now though the decision had been made.
It was in the car ride home and even as I am sitting here now that I can see the Lords sanctification at work. Realizing that He is teaching me that its not all about me and what I want to do (even if that thing is good), humility, counting others of more value and importance than myself, and ministering his grace and love to those around me.
It was so sweet on the car ride home she kept telling me how God healed her belly and that she didn't need to rest anymore. Whether this was genuine, or her trying to get out of a nap we never want to undermine this young girls faith, and like I said her belly could of been really bothering her but to what extent who knows. So we rejoiced together and gave thanks to our powerful God who heard her prayers and healed her tummy. It was a special time of giving God the glory :)
As I type this both of my kids are sound asleep, and as their mother I am loving them right now. They are two of my biggest joys! I can choose to be frustrated that I didn't get to stay at church or choose to welcome, learn, and grow from this moment, and see it as a step forward on a very long road called sanctification!
Loving this precious girl and thanking our Savior for ALL his undeserved gifts!
Glory be to the one true God!
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