Look, Mommy, it's a Balloon!

I was working in the office, packing, when I heard a thud & clink & I went to investigate. Darcy met me before I found the source of the noise. What is Drew doing? I asked her. Making a mess in the pantry. By this time we were to the pantry & I was able to scoop up Drew just as he picked up the bottom of a busted bottle of Trader Joe's Poppyseed Salad Dressing. Look, Mommy, it's a balloon! 

(Look at that jagged glass, I'm thankful that Drew didn't cut himself or crawl through the slimy mess!)

Sure enough the full contents of the salad dressing bottle had made a perfect balloon shape on the floor. I was looking at the mess, Darcy saw the beauty. God spoke to my heart today through Darcy's sweet words, Look, Mommy, it's a balloon!  It was a mess, but it was a lovely mess.
Truth be told, quite often I am the big mess, but God sees me as the lovely, wonderful mess that He created. The mess that He is still working on, shaping, molding...cleaning up, just like I cleaned up that blob of poppyseed dressing before the dog could slop it all up! I'm so thankful that He sees through all of the mess to see the only real beauty that I have, the beauty that comes from knowing His Son!

This has been a disappointing week for us. One of those weeks when it is just one bummer after another...more delays on the house, a picky inspector who insisted on holes in the walls to inspect the pipes inside, problems with employees at work...you know one of those weeks where it's one step forward, two steps back. A lot of the bad news came on Wednesday, which is already a busy day with hurrying to get to church. Earlier in the week it was looking certain that we would be able to move in Friday & Saturday... Jeff & I were planning to spend the afternoon on Friday (today) packing & moving boxes over to the house, & I had just lined up after school play-dates with some WONDERFUL friends, when Jeff came home before church Wednesday with the news of the plumbing inspection that didn't go well. They were going to need to tear into the walls. My pretty, painted walls! Then, we had just walked into church when Jeff got a call regarding a bad situation with some employees. We ate our dinner together & then instead of staying for my class, I took Darcy & Drew home for an early bedtime since both have had icky noses this week & Drew still has a cough. In the car on the way home we were listening to one of our Praisebaby Collection DVDs, Sleepy Time Lullabies, and once again the Lord reminded me of His great love for me. Through each worship song that played, I was reminded of a specific Truth that I needed to hear...

That God is AMAZING--"He placed the stars in the sky & He calls them by name...He sees the depths of my heart & loves me the same!" 

That "God is SO good, he's so good to me!" 

That the true heart of worship, when all else falls away, is ALL about Him!

That All Night, All Day, angels are watching over ME!

And like only HE can, "You opened my eyes to your wonders anew, you captured my heart with this love because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as You!" 

And just that quiet time in the car has made all the difference this week. I am still sorely disappointed that our move has had several bumps, but I know God is in control & is working all things for my good (Romans 8:28.) Earlier this week, I was perched on a slippery slope, ready to descend into self-pity & grumbling, but He rescued me, as He always will! Now, that doesn't mean I'm happy about all of the circumstances...in fact, we found out today that the plumbing re-inspection that should have happened this afternoon won't happen until at least Monday, which puts us several more days away from moving...and I was mad again and I felt like crying...we have boxes everywhere, we are running out of food & essentials because I have been holding off buying things until we move, BUT God continues to give me grace and peace to deal with each new hiccup. And, hey, I have one less bottle of salad dressing to move! ;-)

And I am learning to let go of some things that only add stress...like the big 1st Birthday party that I had been dreaming/planning/hoping to throw for Drew...I have always thrown a BIG bash for each child's first birthday. It is such an important way for me to mark their very special first year, but I realized this week that Drew will be fine if I don't throw him a huge themed party. We will do a small family party & celebrate & have fun & remember how very blessed we are!

And just like Darcy saw something pretty in a messy blob of salad dressing on the floor, I am choosing to focus on the beauty of God & trust in His perfect plan for us! 

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