Coming Undone

This morning was a heck of a morning.  Who knew so much drama could be packed into two short hours!  Thursday mornings are busy for us.  Hal tries to get out the door by 7.  D has Mothers Morning Out at 8:20 and B and I have BSF at 9.  We had been doing really well getting D to Mother’s Morning Out without much fuss.  Last week BSF started back and our first morning went really well.  Then came the events of today.  I don’t know about you but I am grateful for those times in our relationship with the Lord when He gives you a clear picture of the progress you are making.  This morning was like receiving a big A+ on my report card or at least good remarks for improvement!

I got up early to get my shower.  Hal got D out of bed when he woke up and got him settled.  After my shower, I hurried to get ready and then headed to the kitchen to get Hal’s breakfast and lunch ready.  I would like to say that I have done that for years, but I would be lying.  We are working on eating better, a.k.a we are on a diet, and eating healthy requires preparation!  I got him out the door and headed to finish up my makeup.  D was playing in the bathroom with me tossing his beloved Mr. Bear in the air.  I should have stopped him, but I didn’t.  After a few tosses, it ended up in the toilet.  I retrieved bear from the toilet and let D know that we won’t do that again without consequences.  

Mr. Bear after his bath

Somewhere along the way, B woke up and had part of his bottle.  My normally easy going baby has not been so easy going the last few days.  He wasn’t having any part of the swing, Bumbo, boucny seat, or playmat.  The mobile in his crib pacified him for a few minutes so I could get Drew dressed, teeth brushed, etc.  I then went back in the kitchen to get D’s lunch ready and gobble down some breakfast for myself.  I hear D say from the living room, “Look momma, a Bible,” but don’t think much of it.  A few minutes later, I round the corner from the kitchen to the living room only to see him holding a blue ink pen and making a few additions to the book of Acts.  I ran over to him, grabbed the pen, and disciplined him reminding him that we only write on his coloring books and paper mommy gives him.  I look at the clock and realize that I have about 3 minutes to find my shoes, get B’s bottle ready, get him dressed and get out the door.

The Book of Acts after Drew's addition.

At this point a few years ago or maybe even a few months ago, I would have come completely undone.  I would have thrown a huge pity party/hissy fit, taken D to Mother’s Morning Out, and then pouted my way all the way back home missing Bible Study because I was frustrated and tired, but in the midst of it this morning, I felt strangely calm.  I am sure part of the calm feeling is due to maturing as a mother, but more than that it is maturing in Christ by not allowing my emotions in those moments to overtake and control me, but instead choosing to focus on remaining in control of my emotions and actions.  I must say it felt much better to get in the car, close the garage door, and go on with my day knowing that I had won a battle.  Instead of the nastiness of my sinful nature rising up in me this morning, I was able to see “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.  Galatians 5:16-25