Did you read that? Yes! God really does give do-overs! And I am so very grateful. I left early this morning to pick up our weekly supply of milk. After leaving a few quick instructions with the couple of kids who had actually pulled themselves out of bed already, I climbed into the vehicle feeling a bit anxious about all that I need to do today and all that I haven’t accomplished the last few days.
I enjoy my Tuesday morning milk runs because it gives me some just-me-and-God time. It often goes something like this – “grumble, grumble” – I don’t like getting up and out so early in the morning, load the milk crates in the back of vehicle, go back inside to get my wallet, grab a cup of coffee to go which may or may not have spilled down my front as I climb in the vehicle, garage door up, back out the drive.
Aaah, fresh air, early morning sunshine, just you and me God. Now comes time for me to dump it all out. That’s what I tend to do. Dump all my gripes, worries, disappointments, frustrations on Him, often without listening to His side of the conversation. “How come I can’t figure out how to make better use of my time? Why do I consistently fail at the same things over and over? What’s wrong with me that I keep making the same mistakes? Will I never learn to focus and stay on task? How will my children learn the good habits if I have such bad habits?”
Do you see a theme here? It’s all about me. When I finish my little rant, I sit quietly. Then, over the rhythmic hum of the engine, these words come to me:
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!'”
and so I’m reminded that each day is a new day, with new opportunities, new possibilities. Each new day we start with a clean slate and get a chance for do-overs.
Today we will focus on moving forward and not dwelling on the things we did not accomplish yesterday. I’ll pick up where I left off in following along with Nony’s 28 Days to Hope For Your Home. {I must interrupt to tell you this is my affiliate link, and this ebook is on sale through September using the code HABIT} I will work on showing mercy to my children in the same way my Lord shows me mercy each new day.
What about you, do you sit still in the quiet of a morning to hear what God’s instructions for the day? Or do you have trouble like I do, sitting quietly and listening?
My time is more throughout the day here and there when He can get my attention but I do try to listen often. I get bogged down in what needs to get done in a day and then I am reminded in my reading be that the bible, other God focused wives and mom’s blogs, or a good book that God is always with me and that He is always ready to listen but that I need to be silent to hear Him. I will also share that the stars at night or the frogs in the spring, or the birds in the day remind me that He is with me and His creation sings His praises so I had better join in. *big smile* Have a great day growing and learning to listen to that the Maker’s teachings. *smile* Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
Being a Keeper at Home, a full time, homeschooling mama makes for a very busy lady. I think it’s key to be listening/praying throughout the day. There are times I stop in the midst of our chaos with an ‘ah-ha!’ moment. God gets my attention whenever He sees fit, I suppose. Love the little glimpses of the special things in your life. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love it when you repy, it’s so encouraging. Thank you. I read this one to my beloved husband (my best friend) and told him about how encouraging you are for me. *smile* Thank you for making time for me. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
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I love alone time with God in my truck! I use the time to pray and sing! I am often guilty of laying out my gripes and worries, before it occurs to me to ask him to show me what he wants me to do. And with much shame, I admit I terrible about seeking him when I first get up. I guess I let my do do list overwhelm me too much. I usually wake up and hit the ground running. Maybe that is why I have been kinda grumpy with my family lately when I first get up? Thank you for this wonderful post! Now I have a whole lot to think about!
With your schedule, Amanda, I imagine it gets challenging finding that time to spend quietly with the Lord. Like you in your truck, my time in the car and in the shower seems to be my best focused prayer time. Do you think the acoustics are better there? I am glad you were encouraged, remember that every morning (or afternoon) you open your eyes, it’s a new day with new opportunities! Blessings to you my friend.
That is one of my favorite verses! It is so encouraging and strengthening!
Yes, praise the Lord for do-overs!
Because God is so merciful, our children do see our bad habits but don’t pick some of them up, because they also see how our habits affect us. This is not always true for every bad habit, but I have found that some of my bad habits teach my children why they shouldn’t copy them. Hope that makes sense. Thankful for God’s mercy every day.
Makes perfect sense, Karen. By God’s grace, our adult children have mostly learned from my bad habits and have worked at overcoming them in their own lives. That is such a testimony to me! Still in the trenches with younger ones, I need that reminder often. Thank you for your insightful comment 🙂 I appreciate it.
You made me smile this morning! What a lovely time you have to get some time with the Lord… that’s awesome! I learn a lot while I’m in the car, too. Being a SAHM now, I don’t get a lot of alone time in the car anymore, but I love it when I do. I love that His mercies are new each morning!!
Hi Rachel 🙂 I’ve been a SAHM mom for almost 30 years and I understand how precious that alone time is. I still don’t get a lot of “alone” time with God and so I do my best to make the most of it when I can. Learning to focus no matter what’s going on around us is important when we have children at home. The Lord understands – like when all of us are clamoring to him with our requests and complaints!
I’m glad you stopped in today and found encouragement, thank you for your sweet comment!
Amen to that! …and praise God for him giving do-overs. I think He’s made me understand the seventy times seven with that in my life a whole lot more!! 🙂
Absolutely! I’m glad you stopped by today, Jamie – have a blessed weekend!
Yes, yes, yes! All true. I love my quiet time. I may grumble and complain, but when I’m finished, I can hear that still voice telling me it will be okay.
And I feel the same way about my weekly milk run… though I have to take all of the kids with me.