The Making of M.O.M.

Nothing frustrates me more than car troubles. Why is it that I allow so much anger, frustration and hatred creep into my heart over nothing more than a pile of plastic and metal? Two Friday's ago we dropped our van off at a local auto shop. We knew it needed some serious work because it is continuing to leak coolant and overheat. After keeping our car all day, I called at 5:00pm (closing time, on Friday, remember?) and asked if it was ready to be picked up. The gentleman explained to me the problem and told me it was at least a 6 hour job and that they wouldn't be able fix it that day. I told him I needed the car as it is the only vehicle we have that our entire family can ride in. We went to pick it up and were going to return it the following week.

Our schedules didn't allow us to drop it back off yesterday (Monday). They worked on it all day yesterday (never called me, not once) and when I called at 5:15pm to see if it was ready, they told me that the needed to keep it until the morning. The gentleman assured me it would be done 1st thing this morning.

Elizabeth also had a dentist appointment this morning. So, the plan was for Luke to take her to the dentist (which is literally 10 min from his work) and I would go get the van and meet him there to pick her up, hopefully eliminating the need for him to drive all the way back home, then back to work (roughly 1 hours worth of driving). I called the auto shop at 8:15am, only to be told it would be at least 1 1/2 hours. Great. I took a shower and loaded the twins in the stroller, I was determined to be there promptly at 9:30, hoping my presence would light a fire underneath them.

I left my house a little after 9:00am and walked, yes you read that right, walked the almost 2 miles to the auto shop. We get there just after 9:30. I wait patiently...only to be told it that there was a new problem w/ our car and it would be another 30-45 minutes. Uuuuugggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Luckily, there is a coffee shop just around the corner. The twins and I head there, hoping to grab a quick snack.

TWO HOURS LATER, I call the auto shop, where I am told that my vehicle is finally ready. In those 2 hours, I got no phone call explaining that it is taking longer than expected, telling me that the job had to be pushed back, nothing. As the twins, Elizabeth (b/c Luke had dropped her off at this point, so he could go to work) are walking from the coffee shop back to the auto shop I am praying that my blood will stop boiling. I am asking God for peace. I know that the owner of the shop is a Christian b/c of previous interactions. I know that I do not need to be rude, but accept this misfortune with grace, showing Christ's love for everyone in my actions.

What I wanted to say was, "This is ridiculous! Can't you see that I have been waiting for this car for almost 36 hours? My family can't go anywhere! I WALKED here w/ my two 2-year olds and you didn't even have the decency to speed things up?"

However, I asked all three kids to thank the man for fixing our car. I knew that this poor guy had lost his teenage son just over a year ago. I heard him talking about his children to other people in the shop, and I knew that the LAST thing he needed was a piece of my mind.

Trust me, I wanted to let him have it, but by there sheer grace of God, I held my tounge. It made me realize that the next time, I may not know the background of the person I'm dealing with . Instead of being so critical, I should accept things for what they are, and try to show Christ's love thru my actions.

You know, I REALLY love God, but sometimes, being His servant is so hard. Now, if I could only erase the anger in my heart I'll be moving in the right direction.

Have you ever viewed the world through a child's eyes? Have you ever really looked at the everyday and seen the extraordinary? How overwhelmingly delightful the world must be! Lately, Lucas and Ashlee have discovered the wonderfulness of natural "yard berries." You know, those pesky little red berries that grow in the those pesky clover patches that consume your yard? Luke detests them, but my children delight in them completely. They love exploring the yard and finding hidden "treasures". I watch as they bring them to me, running full speed to seek my approval. Their eyes search my face for a glimpse the same excitement they revel in. I gladly accept each and every token of their love, but (admittedly) I return each treasure to it's natural habitat when little eyes aren't looking(shhhhh)!

Each time my children seek out treasure, it is pure joy. Rocks become bits of gold and diamonds, berries become beautiful jewels and weeds are breathtaking roses. They are so excited to share them with me, hoping each time I will cultivate a response worthy of their gift.

Last night was my long-haul teaching night. I am on the computer, tutoring from 6pm until well after 10 o'clock. I miss dinner time, bath time and bed time with the kids, leaving in all in Luke's hands. At about 10:30 last night, I drag myself into the bedroom, ready for some rest. I am a little peeved that there are still miscellaneous trivial tasks that need to be completed before I too can crawl into bed. I finish up the last of my "to do list," wash my face, brush my teeth and head for the kids' rooms. I peek in on each of them sleeping (one of my favorite times of the day). I check to make sure all the doors are securely locked, the alarm is set and nothing perishable has been left out in the kitchen. Ready for my pillow I walk into our bedroom.

As I am about to crawl into bed and enjoy our fresh sheets, I notice the most amazing gift on my nightstand. Beside my alarm clock, one or more of my children has left me a gift. It melted my heart to know that even though I couldn't be outside that evening exploring the yard, my children had found a treasure especially for me. It was a heartfelt offering that only a mother could love.

As I looked at my treasure throughout today, I began thinking about my relationship with God. I thought about my worth and my value. Sometimes I am too quick to count myself as ordinary. I easily cast aside the talents and strengths that He has given me because I cannot see their worth. Although my achievements may be just like everyone else's, they are special to my Savior. Even though my life is as boring as any ordinary rock in the yard, it is special because it was given, and is sustained, by a marvelous Creator. Although to this world I may seem as common as a wild weeds, to my God I am as beautiful as the most breathtaking rose.

As you scroll down to see the greatest gift of all time, I encourage you to see it in the same light that our Savior views you. Though to the world you may be a rock or a weed, to the God of Creation you are a Diamond and a Rose.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4