It’s the little things that get me down.
Tonight I accidentally stabbed my hand with a pencil, and drew a drop of blood. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I shrieked out the words, followed by my second favorite expression: “Great! That’s just great!” (said in a way that communicates this is not actually very great).
I was alone in the room. No one was there. Who was I talking to?
I’ve always thought these verbal interchanges were between me, myself and I. Lately, though, the Lord has been convicting me that I’m actually complaining against Him.
Who controls the little things, like whether it rains on our picnic? Who could have prevented my children from getting sick on our vacation last week? Who could have reminded us of daylight savings time before we missed Sunday School, (where my husband is a teacher)?
When I say “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I am actually saying, “God, I deserve better than this. I know you are capable of more. Is this all you’ve got for me today? I expected a different outcome.”
I believe in God’s sovereignty entirely when it comes to the big things in life, and I am usually very willing to take the good times with the bad. But I need to repent when it comes to the little things.
God never promised to work all things to my satisfaction. Instead, He’s working them all to my ultimate good (my sanctification) and to His glory.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Loved your post — it’s a blessing today.
Thanks for sharing…I need to remember this, too. I remember the year I’d lost a stillborn baby. The Lord just picked us up and carried us through the experience, and gave us a right spirit. Then a few months later, I fell and broke my foot, while at an out of town cousin’s wedding. As one of my sisters drove me home and I was crabby and complaining, she said “Isn’t it funny how we can react so well to big trials and then fall apart on little ones?” I was so humbled and convicted because it was so true!
Molly,
Sometimes I wonder if it’s possible for you and I to have more in common. Then you post another thing like this. Yep…the Lord certainly created us with some strong similarities, beliefs and struggles. Praying He helps you to trust His sovereign hand in the “little things,” and me, too! I can relate completely to this…could have been me on any given day, sadly.
Love you, Sister!
oh. my. after i (and don’t ever tell anyone.) threw a bowl of leftover cereal and milk today. because the user didn’t put it away. and guess who had some serious repenting to do as she cleaned up the “spilled milk?” it wasn’t the child who left it out, i can tell you that. He is so big, and i am so completely and utterly rotten. thank you for the gentle and firm reminder. and Yes, Lord.