What a mess! There are about 7-8 loads of laundry that need to be folded. The very full baskets are behind a door but they still mock me and tell me I am a failure. The kitchen sink is full of dishes and we are about to make more of a mess with our breakfast. The house is overall messy and I have not kept up with things like I have wanted to. Our traditions have not been the same this year. I am sad and disappointed because things have not gone the way I’ve wanted.

“My cookie is broken” pouted Caleb, our 3-year-old son. He held up his gingerbread cookie and showed my husband and I. We were at our older daughter’s school for a Christmas luncheon. The dessert was iced gingerbread man cookies. The leg of Caleb’s cookie was broken and he was very sad. I offered to switch my whole cookie with his. Caleb instantly lit up and happily traded with me. All was right in his world.

When is the last time you really, really wanted something? I mean REALLY wanted something. You spent time dreaming about where it would go in your home or how great you would look in that new outfit. Or maybe you spent time imagining what it would be like to finally have someone in your life. Whatever it may be, we have all really wanted something in our life. Here’s a story from Mathew 20:29-31 about two men who really wanted something

My friends and I met for an early morning breakfast the other day. We normally walk on Friday mornings but because of the colder temperatures, we haven’t been walking. So, we decided to do another kind of get together. It was a fun treat in the middle of our busy week. We enjoyed catching up and just being together. I loved that we could encourage one another in whatever we had going on that week. That is one of my favorite things about these dear friends.

My husband and I were out for dinner the other night. We were kid-free and so thankful for the quiet. No one was hanging on us, we didn’t have to cut anyone’s food, and we could eat without interruption. It was glorious! After we settled into our meal, I heard some whining from a kid nearby. When it’s not your own it is easier to block out. But the kid was especially loud and obnoxious. I thought to myself “What is that kid’s problem? Why aren’t those parents doing something? Can’t they control their kid?” I could feel my irritation rising as I sat there.

The kitchen is a mess. I went to bed way too late and woke up tired. There are texts sitting on my phone that I need to respond to. My daughter is having a complete meltdown because she doesn’t have the shirt she wants to wear. My son won’t put his tennis shoes on like I asked him to because he wants to wear his boots. There are a million and one things to do before I need to leave for my meeting. The stress level is rising, I snapped at my daughter, and if I don’t leave now, I am going to be late!!

"I don’t want orange!” whined Caleb after drawing a card. We were in the middle of an intense game of Candyland. Caleb was ahead of me but also very determined to win. So, when he drew the orange card, Caleb was mad. That orange card was not going to get him to the winning spot.  Caleb wanted to skip ahead and win. He complained and tried to draw another card. I explained to him that you only get to draw one card and you need to do what it says even if you don’t like it. After a little pouting, Caleb finally conceded and went to the orange spot.

The other day my husband received something in the mail inside a long cardboard tube. Analiah, our 5-year-old, immediately claimed the cardboard tube as her own. I could see the wheels turning. In Analiah’s eyes, the possibilities were endless. Over the next few days, the cardboard tube was used for a spying scope. There was so much to explore. It was also used as a ramp. Analiah placed it at the top of the stairs and cars were pushed through. The cardboard tube was also used to roll marbles from one side to another with shouts of glee included. Who would have known a cardboard tube could bring so much fun?

Do you like to people watch? Do you ever try to guess what their life is like? You can learn a lot about a person by watching them. You can also learn a lot about yourself. The other day was one of those times that I learned a lot. I was enjoying my soft pretzel while watching people in line. One family, in particular, jumped out at me. It was a Mom and her two daughters. Their shoulders were slumped and they were anxious to eat. As they discussed what they were getting, the Mom growled: “We are only getting one strawberry shake and you will share it.” The girls didn’t accept the answer very well which only escalated the Mom’s anger. I looked down at my food and tried to block out their conversation.

I love how God works. He cares about all our needs. Every. Single. One. No matter how small or how silly the need may seem, God cares. The other day God blew me away with how much He cares. Here’s my story… I headed out to meet a friend for an early morning walk. We were meeting at a school that had a path behind it. After arriving, I parked my van and waited for my friend to come. I had my pouch with phone and a headlight to wear around my waist since the path wasn’t well lit. My friend arrived so I hopped out of my van and we started to walk.