{#TellHisStory} Bring Him Glory

She’s comfortable enough here that she tapped on the door and then just walked in. I said hi from the kitchen and my kids literally jumped on her and her boyfriend. She’s my kids’ babysitter and their friend. They were excited Amber and Sean were coming over tonight but Mom and Dad were staying home too. We were all going to eat dinner together.

Last summer Amber asked me if she and Sean could meet with us regularly and just talk. For college students, they were being wise as they pursued their relationship with each other. Greg and I have an imperfect story we wouldn’t change. We like where we are, even though most parts of our life are nothing like I planned. We started dating in college, like Amber and Sean. We were involved in the same campus ministry. We studied different things than they are. And I never ever had or will ever have a pet snake like she has.

We’re glad they’re in our lives. Yes, reminiscing with them makes us feel old sometimes, but we like opening our life to them. Our kids adore them. And there are only a couple of people who get my boy as well as Amber does.

Yesterday had been a full day. I had extra kids most of the day. I made extra food for my friend who is temporarily working a full-time job and prepared dinner for us to share with Amber and Sean. I had some writing inspiration I needed to go with while kids napped. Yes, I had three kids {two of whom aren’t even mine} napping for about two hours. Ben seemed to have a harder-than-usual time listening and obeying. I took my 3-year-old boy and our 2-year-old friend to the grocery store, storytime, to pick up our 4-year-old friend, and then to Taco John’s, where we met my friend and her two boys.

It wasn’t a bad day. In fact, most of it was smooth and good. But it caught up with me in the 4 o’clock hour yesterday afternoon when I was making dinner, taking my boy to the potty in hopes he will soon decide diapers really are for babies, texting with a friend I hadn’t heard from in way too long, and answering questions and listening to stories about my kindergartner’s day.

Individually, these things aren’t a big deal. But, yesterday, together, they had me overstimulated and on edge.

So when Amber walked in my kitchen and asked “How’s your day been?” all that I could come up with is “tiring.” As I was saying it, I realized my response made me sound ungrateful for these little people who fill my house and the opportunities to spend time with and help my friends. I knew as I was classifying my day  as tiring, there are people who work harder and longer than I do every day of their lives without the conveniences I have.

I wanted my husband to come home. And when he did a few minutes later, I felt like I would crumble out of relief of no longer being the only one in charge. He tried to help. I got snippy and demanding. We all sat down at the table and I still wanted to cry. I felt every whine, request, and disobedience from the whole day catching up with me.

Frustrations filled my heart. And I then I realized I whined and requested and disobeyed God as many times as these kids did.

My perspective improved over dinner. I think just sitting and having other adults around helped. Amber helped me clean up the table. We played with the kids for awhile. Then the little ones went to bed, our guests left, I washed some dishes and packed the kids’ lunches for today, and then I sat down. And ate two Reese’s eggs.

My husband and I got into bed early. We both were worn down from different kinds of busy days. I closed out a full day with words by Holley Gerth that were good for my soul.

“Oh, no, friends. God has more for you — so much more than you can even imagine. You are made in his image, and the more you display all that he has placed in you, the more you bring him glory. And when we bring him glory, we feel joy, freedom, and purpose. Life becomes a gift rather than a chore.”

{From “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream“}