Surviving the little things

Today started off well.  I got my list of "to-do's" ready, with the most imperative at the top.  Because the youngest had therapy this morning we got a bit of a late start, but by nearly 1:00 we were home from running the errands and ready to settle down in to our day.  My mind was racing from the money spent at the grocery store.  Frugal as I tried to be, we simply have run out of too many items and overspent.  Moments after arriving home I stepped outside to gather up the mail and discovered that we have more medical bills from my youngest.  As I stepped in the house, bills in hand, the phone rang informing me that my daughter's newest medical evaluations had been completed and we should be receiving a phone call within 24 hours to set up her weekly therapies.  My mind instantly raced through the added gas expenses, the travel time required, the new specialist we meet in 3 weeks---how will I manage all these appointments? 

After fixing everyone lunch I decided to begin the household chores.  My thought was that I would at least feel better once I knocked some items out on the daily list.  My life may be surrounded in chaos, but that doesn't mean the house has to reflect that right?  As I gathered up the dishes that needed to be handwashed I realized I would run out of detergent before I could finish.  This one thing, this TINY-IN-REALITY little thing broke me.  I felt the tears well up, the chest heaving beginning, as my shoulders scrunched all the way up to my ears from the stress.  Bills. Finances. Medical appointments. House a mess. What I wanted to do was run to my bed and hide under the covers for no less than a week.  But that's not productive, and that's not reality, and it won't fix anything.  So I ran to my rocking chair where my Bible was lovingly waiting for me, along with my favorite Sarah Vaughn devotionals, and I began to read. Here was the verse ready and marked for today's reading:

James 1:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 I was quickly reminded that it is all about perseverance.  Running the race, victoriously charging towards the finish line, knowing full well that victory is in sight and celebrating and rejoicing in the Lord NO MATTER WHAT.  His grace is sufficient.  

Instead of spending the day broken and defeated, I made a conscious decision to give it to Christ, and to stand victorious over the day.  Not surprisingly, I suddenly remembered a recipe I saw many months ago for homemade dishwashing detergent.  I found the recipe quickly and verified I had all items on hand.  Even the glycerin.  BONUS, it's not even needed!  Not only will I have the much-needed liquid dish detergent without having to spend money, but I can have an adventure and a good time making it.  As I began to dig through the cabinet for my Castille bar soap (I have to make baby wipes again too so how handy is that?! I can do BOTH!) I was pleasantly surprised to find an empty dish detergent bottle in the cabinet.  Clean, dry, and just waiting to be used. This will save some time as the other bottle still has a small amount left in it and will need to be thoroughly cleaned before placing homemade detergent in it.  I have a distant memory of saving that empty bottle but had no specific plans for it at the time.  At that moment I could hear God's voice saying, "I knew you would need this, and I told you to save it."  My day went from feeling alone, abandoned, and overwhelmed to feeling loved, remembered, and prepared by the Almighty God Himself.

Find your joy in the little things persevering mom.  Just as the little things can add up and break us, the little things can also lift us up--preparing and building us.  We are being carefully and deliberately crafted by the master.  Take heart. Rejoice. Don't give up.

In the meantime, go have some fun and make some dish detergent!  Smile, laugh, and dance. Let's think of one another, and pray for one another persevering mom. I'll be thinking of, and praying for you, as I make my detergent.   HOMEMADE DISH SOAP

HERE'S THE DIRECT LINK JUST IN CASE THE HYPERLINK DOESN'T WORK     http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/09/how-to-make-your-own-dish-soap.html