"That One"

It is a phenomena I have seen in many homes where children dwell.  I've seen it in homes with many children and homes with few.  I've even seen it in single child homes.  It seems in nearly every home there is that child..."that one" who has the amazing gift of button pushing.  "That one" who can take you emotionally from 0 to 100 in no time flat.  "That one" may be the one who always leaves things out, always breaks things, always complains or always ________________.    "That one" may be the instigator of every argument, the captain of chaos or the lord (or lady)  of lies. "That one" who always does "that thing" on purpose! "That one" who wants everything and seems to appreciate nothing.  "That one" may often make a mama question why she didn't think to become a nun instead of having children.  But "that one" is necessary for our salvation.

Hopefully I don't look like this, but I sure have FELT like this!!!

Even with the great trials that come with being the mother of "that one" there are a great many blessings as well, if we choose to see them.  "That one" helps us to realize that we truly are powerless and God is all powerful.  "That one" is part of the cross the Lord allows us to carry so there can be less of ourselves and more of Christ.  "That one" helps us to realize that no victory is too small to acknowledge.  "That one" helps us to learn that the fetal position in the closet is not as effective as prostrate at the foot of the Cross.  Yes, we may be white knuckling it with some of the kids we have in our homes, but we learn to hold on more tightly to Christ. 

Now, "that one" may not always be the same one.  In my home it seems the baton gets passed around.  They run relay sprints while I am running for distance.  It can be exhausting.  It can be depressing.  It can be the very thing that helps us to draw more closely to THE ONE who understands the hearts of our children and our mama hearts, THE ONE who can bring healing and comfort in the middle of all the craziness.  He is THE ONE who can mend and heal and calm and show us the JOY and LAUGHTER and LOVE that are available even when every button is pushed and every resource seems to be depleted.  When we are challenged by "that one" let it be to us a prompting to pray and ask THE ONE to be present in our lives, in our homes and in the hearts of each of our children (we will spend a lot of time praying :)

Do not lose heart dear mother.  You are not alone!

By faith Rahab was delivered from the destruction of Jericho because she believed in the power of the God of the Israelites.  Help me, O Lord, to have that same faith, the faith to stand firm even when the walls of life seem to be falling all around me.  Thank You that I can trust you with each member of my family knowing that your love for them and hope for their salvation is greater than mine.  Help me to remember that I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20).  For you are blessed now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.