chaotic day with purpose

It was a day like no other.  The dog woke me up at 4:45am.  This to me does not even count as morning, but since the little booger (or big- very big booger, might I clarify) began to cry, I (very grudgingly) grumbled, got up, and took her outside.  When she came in, she got very excited since it MUST be time to eat.  I blinked through my blurry, sleepy eyes and trudged to pour the dog food and fresh water.  I then looked at the clock.  I could either snuggle up next to my sleeping honey-bunch, or I could begin my day before day has even thought of rearing her ugly head herself.  What did I do? Well, if you thought I followed my typical pattern and went back to sleep until my kids pulled me out of bed by my fingertips, you would be sadly mistaken.  (see above, a day like NO other.)  

There was a little excitement in me as I realized how productive I was going to be!  Could it be?  Is there really silence at this hour?  Afraid that I might be dreaming, I only dared to turn on the little light above the stove. I began to work on my homework.  Ahhhh....peace and quiet, time for concentration.  Then I tried to access both my online classes that use a separate web access portal.  I then had issues with them both.  This began to throw my mood off a bit, so I concentrated on remaining positive and decided to do homework for another class.  Focus.  Determination.  Coffee.  I can do this.  I made myself a healthy breakfast, southwestern style Egg Beaters, and one My Nana's tortilla.  A healthy breakfast is a great way to start a day.  Today is going to be a great day.

Kids wake up.  One by one my solitude is dwindling away.  I get Kylie, my kindergartner ready for school.  As usual, we are rushing out the door.  We make it and I hurry back inside, in desperate hope of making my kickboxing class, one of the only ways I can stay sane.  I mean, what could be better than coffee, a healthy breakfast, and exercising to begin my day?  Absolutely nothing!  And definitely not jumping in my car with only 30 minutes (and counting) until kickboxing, speeding going the speed limit and hurrying to Walgreen's, searching for a bulb syringe, deciding on a battery powered aspirator, grabbing the much-needed eggs, jumping back into my car, speeding going the speed limit and rushing home, setting up the aspirator, sucked snot out of Karsyn (my 9 month old)'s nose, and got back into my car with only 12 minutes till my only hope of working off my stress begins, and speeding going the speed limit, honking and yelling waiting patiently behind traffic, screeching carefully driving through the parking lot, parking and hauling booty into the gym.  

After kickboxing I had to run some stressful errands which resulted in HOURS of phone calls, long hold times, wrong departments, must call backs, and all kinds of other fun beat-around-the-bush stuff.  Then I served the scavengers (Aiden and Alex, 2 year old and 3 year old boys, need I say more?) some peanut butter and jelly, crackers, and bananas.  NAP TIME.  Enough said.  Whew!  If I can make it to nap, I can make it through the day.  Then I lay down and decide since I got up so early, I deserve a nap.  What happens then is mind boggling.  My stomach growls.  What?  You mean YOU, yes you, the little monster called hunger (just to clarify there is no monster in there that is human. That ship has sailed.  4 times.  I have more than contributed to society) expect to eat too?  Oh, my.  Needless to say, my honey-bunch brought me wings (waste of a workout) and we had a nice quiet lunch together while Tweedle-Alex, Tweedle-Aiden, and Tweedle-Karsyn napped.  

Then they woke up.

Then Kylie came home.

Then there was screaming.

Then there was fighting.

Then I wanted to pull my hair out.  Or maybe theirs?  No, definitely mine.  

Oh, crap!  Kylie has gymnastics!  Then I had to rush to get everyone ready, we had to run out the door, Karsyn pooped when we got there, and of course I forgot to put diapers in the diaper bag...after 4 kids, you'd think I'd have learned.  Then a nice lady let me borrow a diaper and this is where my angel came in.  Amidst all this stress, all this craziness, I should have called a time out while I had a chance.  My friend Kim walked in.  It was as if God was trying to remind me that he is there even in the chaos.  This morning while I had solitude, instead of spending so much time trying to figure out my online issues, I should've spent time with God.  Seeing Kim, brought back the rejuvenation and renewal of my spirit from this weekend.  It was this little gift saying, I am here.

My verse of the day yesterday was Psalm 51:10  "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."  I should have spent my time this morning meditating on that.  I should have purposed my day to have a right spirit, a steadfast spirit.  I then did a devotional yesterday that was all about experiencing God's renewal and being new in Christ.   (Colossians 3:1-3, 5, 7-10, 12-14 NIV) 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:1-3, 5, 7-10, 12-14 NIV) and Colossians 3:17 NIV

"17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I am sure that Kim did not know that God used her very presence to speak to me and to remind me that I am a new creation, and that he has blessed me.  One way I felt blessed this weekend was by her very presence.  And to see her beautiful face in that cute U of A shirt and bright red ribbon in her hair today while I was having a horrible day, was truly a reminder to be calm and that He is always near me, and that I can choose to have a right spirit. And it was also convicting that I had been so impatient all day when I am called to clothe myself in kindness, gentleness, and patience. I love these gentle reminders from my abba, daddy.

Thank you, Lord, for sending Kim into my day and blessing me with your presence, your patience, and your kindness.

Allysia