Accepting the Help {a much-needed re-post!}

Today has been one of those days when I'd just really like a do-over. {sigh} And I was reminded of this post from a couple of years ago. God's Word is always right on and even though the events in this post happened a while back, the principles in The Word are timeless and true. Since I needed to pull this post up for a re-read myself, I thought there might be other weary moms out there who could use the encouragement, too. So I'm re-posting it:)

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(October 2009)

If I ever had any delusions about earning the mother-of-the-year award or if I ever thought my children were going to earn the perfect-children-of-the-year award, I now have my feet firmly planted back in that fun little thing we like to call: reality.

I just returned from picking up my son at my parents' house. He was supposed to spend the afternoon, along with my daughter. I had agreed to this in spite of my better judgement. There's just something about Sunday having a different schedule than the rest of the week (earlier morning, lots of morning activity, etc.) that just desperately begs for a nap all afternoon. That's why at our house even if you aren't taking a nap (ahem....The Princess), then you are still required to have quiet time in your room. Frankly, Mama & Daddy just need it that way.

However, since the kiddos have just gotten over being sick all week and were so ready for a change of scenery outside of our house walls, I thought it would be okay for the kiddos to spend the afternoon with Nana & Papi. Boy, was I wrong.

Mr. B just had one of the biggest meltdowns of his life. S o much so, that when my mom called to ask my thoughts, I just said I'd come pick him up and bring him home for a nap. Of course, I had time to really get steamed up all the way there and then he proceeded to carry his meltdown on into the car~crying so much that he made himself start coughing which made him eventually gag. I think we finally got home after 2 or 3 stops...I can't remember. And all this followed what was a totally stressful lunch scene at the restaurant after church. Just the icing on the cake.

I hate it when I completely lose my temper and yell (gasp!) at my kids. I feel like a total loser afterwards. And I've been very short of patience this week. I know that's partly due to being sick and also having *cabin fever* from being home so much more than usual. And it hasn't helped that I've been single-parenting it since Wednesday. I really miss my hubby when he's on a trip~I can't imagine doing this alone full-time.

But after I've finished beating myself up with condemnation...Grace comes in. Thank God for His grace. I couldn't live without it. I need it so much each and every day. I don't know how anyone can live without it.

There are no perfect lives. I know sometimes I feel like some people have perfect lives when I'm reading their blogs. But we all know that blogland only gives a tiny glimpse into some one's life~and that's only the glimpse that we want you to see:)

In real life we can't spell check, edit or redo everything. We just roll with the punches, and sometimes we don't roll the right way. So often I feel like I roll the wrong way. But God's grace is always there...loving us, waiting for us, never judging us.

God's Word says in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (NIV)

The Message Bible puts it this way: "So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."

So right now I'm declaring, *I accept the help!* I sure can't do this on my own. I need what God is so ready to give me, His mercy and grace...His help.

Thank you, God, for loving me in spite of the fact that I'll never win the mom-of-the-year award. Thank you for blessing me with the two most amazing gifts imaginable: my precious children. Forgive me for trying to do things in my own strength, when you are waiting and so willing to be that strength for me.