The last several days have been full of much frustration as I struggle with my three year old to learn how to use the potty. If you're a parent, your mind may be flooding with your own stories of frustration just from reading that sentence. We are on Day 5 and somehow I feel as if we have regressed from using the bathroom frequently the first few days, to only one successful attempt today. Yesterday I posted status after status on Facebook outlining my frustrations. Many friends were quick to offer their support or advice, remembering the horrors from their own experiences. Doesn't matter if you potty trained a child 10 days ago or 10 years ago, a parent never forgets the stress involved. So many times yesterday I wasn't sure if I was going to scream or cry because he just wasn't getting it. Well, I can't say that I feel any more hopeful after today's experiences, but my perspective has changed.
You see, last night, after putting the boys to bed, I spent some much needed time in the Word. I regret to say that the last few weeks have been so busy, that I've neglected my time with the Lord. (I'm sure that added to my stress these last few days.) I began by catching up on a few days of readings from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. A few different truths spoke to my heart while reading this devotional.
The first came from August 2: "Claim by faith to be a partaker in the patience of Jesus and face your trials in Him. There is nothing in your life that distresses or concerns you that cannot become submissive to the highest purpose. Remember, they are God's mountains. He puts them there for a reason, and we know He will never fail to keep His promise." In Job 28:23-24 it says, "God understands the way to it [wisdom and understanding] and He alone knows where it dwells, for He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens." As I've been struggling to find answers for how to help my child, as well as other circumstances in my life that are defined by question marks, I am reminded that God already has the answers. I can search high and low, but He will provide them for me at the appropriate time. There is a reason for every struggle and frustration I'm facing, while I may not like it, it is making me a stronger follower of the Cross.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) I love these verses! Every time I get caught up in the feeling that "this will never end," I am reminded that this is just light and momentary. It may not always feel like it (believe me I've been through some trials that were anything BUT light and momentary), but with an eternal perspective, everything truly is.
Which leads me to the second truth I read. From August 4: "Nothing pleases God more than praise as part of our prayer life, and nothing blesses someone who prays as much as the praise that is offered." Psalm 92:1 says, "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High." So often I get caught up in the stress that is right before me, forgetting to praise the Lord for who He is and what He has already accomplished in my life. Last night I was reminded that, had the Lord planned the events of October 11, 2010 differently, my two precious boys wouldn't be here. Only a few minutes separated the time from when they were dropped off to when the accident happened. Had they been in that car, instead of stressing about potty training, I'd be crying over all the missed opportunities with my babies. That alone is reason to rejoice for this daunting task. I will forever be grateful that the Lord planned for their lives to continue beyond that horrendous day. I know He has something special planned for them, as He does for all of us. I am blessed to be given the responsibility to train these boys, even though at times it takes all the strength I can muster to maintain control!
So, instead of being frustrated that my child had no successful potty trips and only one semi-successful pooping trips (TMI?), I am choosing to remember that this little one is a beautiful child of God who has been blessed with the chance at life. And I get to be his mommy. So when all else fails, I will "try giving thanks."
Side note: after typing all of this, but before editing, we had our first successful potty trip to the bathroom! It's 8:30 pm. Better late than never!
No comments:
Post a Comment