Mommy Confessional

1) Circumstances should not dictate our outlook on life.

2) The way we respond to circumstances should be the same whether it is a positive or negative outcome.

I admit that I have failed miserably at both of those statements this past week. I have allowed our negative situation put me in a foul mood and it has reflected in how I respond to all three of my boys. We are currently situated in a hotel room instead of the house that we are purchasing. Due to a series of unfortunate events, we were delayed in the closing of our house by about a week. I was so angry and just assumed God and the world was out to get me because we could not close on time and I was stuck in a tiny hotel room with two crazy boys.

My husband very gently yet firmly told me that I needed to take a time out and just pray. I was convinced that prayer would do absolutely nothing for me. But I trust him and his advice for me, so I begrudgingly decided to do my daily devotional and pray. Well my devotional of the day was focused on prayer (coincidence, I think not!). The first line of the devotional was this: "Prayer is not meant to change God's mind, but to change ours. Prayer aligns our thinking with God's will." Well right there I was completely convicted. I just broke down and laid it all out to God including my anger for our situation and everything else that was on my mind. I have long since learned that God is the absolute best listener. And after my mind was finally empty, God quieted my heart and guided me in the right direction. I felt a peace that transcends all understanding and felt ready to tackle the rest of my day. I realized that prayer absolutely changes my mind and allows me to follow God wholeheartedly.

I never quite understand why God places certain things in our lives. But I always find out that His purpose and plan is much better for me and my family that what my plan is (was). This week I may not have moved into my new house, but I got to spend a few extra days with my husband that we would have spent apart. I got to spend the week playing with my boys rather than unpacking. And I get to spend a much needed and anticipated night out with good friends. So maybe my plan might have been good, but God's sure was better.

So my confession is that I certainly am not the picture perfect mom that I envision all my friends are. I let my circumstances dictate my emotions and reactions to my family and I am constantly working on fixing that for the future.

Happy Friday :)