Yesterday turned out to be one amazing day. As long as yesterday seemed to drag on, by the end of the day I was actually disappointed to see it end. I really have no words to describe the events that transpired yesterday, so I will just tell it like it happened.
So, we have a couple of medical bills that we have been chipping away at little by little in hopes of having some miraculous way of paying them off before we get pregnant. On my way to the pumpkin patch, on the long hour drive, I was talking to Chad on the phone. By God's good grace, we have been able to come up with a little extra cash just in the past week. Chad called the 2 places that we still owe money to. The first place gave us a small discount-- not as big of a discount as we had hoped-- but still a discount nonetheless since we were going to be able to pay off the bill totally. The second place Chad called, he told them he had a set amount he could give them, if they would write off the rest. She told Chad to let her see what she could do, put him on hold, came back and gave him a bigger percentage off than what what he was offering to begin with. All in all between the two places yesterday, we saved over $1,000. I was overjoyed! And really, that doesn't even describe how happy I was and how God was yet again tapping me on my shoulder and saying "See, Mandy? Once again I have not failed you and Chad."
Fast-forward through the ridiculously long morning and long afternoon. Chad was gone for the evening last night, so it was up to me to getting the boys fed, bathed, and tucked in for bed. Chad and Brennan do a devotion every single night together. (Here is the part that gets a little jumbled up, because so much has happened in such a short time with Brennan.) We have been talking from time to time to Brennan about what it means to accept Jesus as his Savior, what it means to ask Him into your heart to come and live forever, and what it means to be baptized. That being dunked in water does not make you a Christian. Being dunked in water is not what having salvation is all about. Well, this past Sunday guess what their Sunday School lesson was on? Yep, you guessed it. It was about salvation, baptism, and how the water doesn't change you, but God living in your heart changes you.
So after I read his devotion, I told Brennan that he needed to think about asking Jesus into his heart. I told him he didn't need to do it right now, because I wanted him to fully understand the concept and the meaning of it. He said, "Mama, I understand. I want to ask God RIGHT NOW." He then prayed the sweetest prayer and said, "God, I want you to come into my heart and be with me and live with me FOREVER." Then he informed me we had to arrange a meeting with our preacher ASAP so he could tell our preacher that he understands the meaning of it all. Let's just say I was beside myself with joy. I called Chad crying, I called my mom crying, I was so happy and so proud. The single most important milestone in my child's life had just happened.
Then 5 minutes later he called me into his room and he had lost his third tooth. I was very overwhelmed with all these big things happening in one day.
Last but not least, and I am truly amazed at what I am about to show you and tell you.... Chad works with a very sweet lady named Faith. Her and her husband have a trailer that they pull around on the weekends for a hobby they enjoy. Well, it had been awhile since the tires had really had any maintenance on them. Her husband noticed that the tires were getting worn and it was finally time to do something about it. Faith adds that she had gotten away from church in her life and just in the past year has become involved once again. When her husband went to change the tire, it was so worn that it was to the point it was literally ready for a blow-out at any moment. If the blow-out had occurred, it would have probably caused a bad accident. So Faith told Chad here is proof that God is telling her He is always going to take care of her:
And I must admit, that even though that really hit home with Faith, I also think God has used it for me. Because at the end of a long, yet fulfilling day, God chose that to close out my day and show ME that He will always remain faithful, He knows the plans He has for me, and He is involved in every single aspect of my life.
Lately I have been feeling just like that tire. I have once again been struggling inside with some things that like to creep up on me and bring me down from time to time. I usually keep these things to myself, but I know that God always knows them. On top of that, there has been so much busyness in my life and my kids drive me crazy, and just everyday life in the year 2010 where everything is fast-paced and the more you can fit into your schedule somehow makes us think we can be superwoman or superman. I have really felt like that tire. Worn out, ready for a blow-out. I've been frustrated, grumpy, tired, and ready to pack my bags and head to an island where no one knows my name. But like the tire, God has once again shown me that He is in control, and if I can just let Him take control, He will continue to amaze me and refresh me and leave his imprint on me so that I can once again make it through another day.
My mantle.
