Today Elizabeth started back to school and I became sole caregiver to our little daycare kids. I absolutely love the kids and have been around them for a long time. They know me, but not as primary caregiver. I have always been "grandma" to them.
Today one of the boys (we have two boys and four girls in daycare), decided he was going to "try" me and find out if I would still be "grandma" or if I would be like his preschool teacher, Miss Liz. Normally, the kids would look to me if they were in trouble or if they got a boo-boo and needed a kiss. They would also come to me for snuggles and hugs which, by the way is one of my favorite times, too!
I'm still there for snuggles and hugs and to kiss the boo-boos, but now I also have to be "teacher". The other kids seemed to be fine with it, but not my one little guy, Z. He decided no matter what I said, no matter what he knew he was supposed to do . . . or was told to do, he would not comply! I'm afraid to say he spent some serious "thinking time" in the time-out chair. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.
The kids are all great - really great! Even my little guy who wanted to test me today! I couldn't ask for a better group of kids to care for and the parents are great, too!
Z's antics today reminded me of how I, at times, test God. Those times that I choose to knowingly make choices that are not always in alignment with His teachings. I'm so thankful that God is merciful and He is full of grace . . . for me, even though I certainly don't deserve it.
As I have "matured", I make better choices (most of the time) and truly want to be the best me that I can be for the Lord. I'm human and I'm not always strong - but I also know that He is my strength - if I allow Him to be!
Every choice I make, every choice I ever made, brings consequences. Poor choices usually result in poor consequences . . . as I well know from my own experience. I am now very focused on making choices that will bring about the best consequences - even if that means leaving behind those people, places and things that cause me distress or weakness.
I believe that God places people in our lives as we need them. The people that come into our lives provide "something" that we need at that particular time but may not be people that will remain with us for our entire life! I truly believe that some people fill a need and once that need has been fulfilled may no longer have a necessary purpose in our lives.
This past year I've learned so much and know that people that bring me down, cause me to doubt myself or who reject or hurt me are not people I should keep around me. I can best serve the Lord when I am strong, convicted and content in my surroundings.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me"
Psalm 138:8
Psalm 138:8
Father, I pray that You will lead me, in all ways, through this life. Please help me to recognize who and what I should surround myself with so that my heart is open to You! Please help me to be everything that You, Lord, want me to be! I trust You with my life and put my faith and my hope in You!
annb
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me, that was my prayer on the elliptical this morning as I was working out. I know the Lord has a perfect plan for my parents, especially my dad who is facing going to a nursing home....I am so sad he cannot come home and live...we have not found a place yet, God has closed some doors but He will perfect that which concerns me AMEN I am going to believe that for this situation and always.....
ReplyDelete