The Big Picture

I don't deserve my kids...

And they certainly do not deserve me.

But God gave them to me...us.

For many reasons.

And I'm so thankful.

So why is it so hard for me to see the big picture?

Why do great ideas of parenting come to me after the crisis is past?

Why am I more concerned about not being tardy than I am about the spirit of the child I'm pushing out the door?

Why does the stress of grownup life filter into my tone when speaking to them?

I had the opportunity, this morning, to teach my kids a great spiritual lesson. But it slipped away because I couldn't...didn't see the big picture.

I had to ask forgiveness before we even started our day.

I long to go to school and sweep them out of their classes to spend the day loving them.

I long to bring them back home and tell them what we should have done this morning.

I long to hug them and kiss their little faces and say what I should have said.

But I will wait.

And when we come home after school I will kiss their faces, hug them and say all the things I need to say.

Until then, I will go about my days activities with a spirit of humility.

Spending time with God.

Praying.

Listening.

And learning, always learning to look at the big picture.