Something about seeing him last night just ticked me off.
He always invades my space. It seems I am constantly putting him back into the toy bucket - out of my shower space. And some how he always ends right back there again. Right where I want to step in. Ready for some wonderful peace and quiet. And there he is, looking at me with those
black beady eyes. As if to say "Hey, You don't get peace and quiet any more."
Sometimes I don't see him and I step on him. It's not enough to hurt, just enough to
annoy me.
Yesterday was a long day. Every one was tired by the end of the day. I was ready for bed about 6:00. Nobody seemed to understand that I was done. Off duty. My time card punched.
Oh wait, I don't have one of those.
So, after supper, while the dirty dishes were still on the table (
Ohhh... living on the edge!) I slipped away to that one place of solace. And there was
greeny. In
my shower. Again. I got angry. I was too tired to pick up one more toy. So, naturally, I did the mature thing. Grabbed him and threw him out of the shower. He bounced across my bathroom floor and stopped out of sight behind the door.
For one moment I sighed in relief and reveled in the sweet sight of an empty shower. No kid cups from Chilli's, no little
Einstein's submarine rocket. No Elmo with side kick, water squirting Dorothy. But
most importantly no green duck.
The hot water felt wonderful. But I wasn't very relaxed. Something didn't feel right. I shut my eyes and a vivid picture came into my mind. No toy bucket. No moving toys out so I could have my shower time. No green duck.
Someday I bet I will miss the green duck.
So I went and got him. And I put him in the corner of the shower. Facing the wall, so he wouldn't stare at me. And I used my shower time to thank God for all of the things in my life that the green duck represents.
Dirty dishes = an abundance of food provided for us, My love for preparing that food, sweet family time around the table.
The sand on my floors that frustrated me on a regular basis = hours of fun for three little boys out in the sand box.
Toys on my floors which I swear I
just picked up = learning, sharing, using imaginations.
Laundry to w
ash, dry, fold and put away = sweet little clothes, size 3, 4, and 6. Most have been passed down to us,
very little has been bought. One more example of God's amazing provision for our family.
There are so many examples.
I'm still not a big fan of
greeny, but God did use him to teach me a lesson last night.
14 comments:
amen wendi, amen. oh how hard it is to keep perspective SO much of the time. and let me tell you, we have the EXACT same green duck at home...and a pink one too.
Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my friend...God taught you a beautiful lesson indeed. I remember being so irritated with the overflowing basket of bathtub toys and the mess they always made when my son was little. (Why did one little boy need 20 different toys for the tub!?)
Now the toys are long since gone and I can't tell you how much I miss them and everything they represent. You are a wise Momma.
Have a wonderful weekend!
What an awesome reminder! It's funny- I was thinking the same things about the dandelion bouquet on my windowsill. Part of me wanted to see them as weeds and ask my kids to stop bringing them in- but just like your rubber duck. I realized there will be a day when I will miss dandelion bouquets and every little blessing that comes with them :)
It's neat how God can use such small things to speak to us.
this was a great post!! You might not actually miss 'greeny' when you get here (grown kids) but you will miss what greeny represents!! a lot!
Have a great weekend!
I always learn so much from you. You need to write a devo book for mothers. :)
Oh, wait, I don't have one of those...Ha! Yes! Truer words were never spoken...
And you just put into words far better than I could how I feel on a daily basis about these things. First the frustration about the mess, the attitude, whatever it is...and then the realization that truly, we will miss it all one day.
Great story, thanks for sharing Wendi. May that little green duck soon find a pink little duck friend!
Firstly, I love that you turned the green duck so it wouldn't be staring at you. I would do that too :)
And yes, it's true. We wouldn't have it any other way. BUT WOW, it's frustrating and tiring sometimes.
Your perspective is inspiring as usual!
I busted out laughing when you turned the duck. Too Funny. And also agreeing with Heather on this next point, this was as inspiring perspective. You are such a delight.
I also feel like I punch out my time card when the kids go to bed, and I'm not nearly as sweet as you...I have a blood fire or vomit rule. And the other day my daughter came out of her bedroom because she had a mosquito bite and I sternly asked, "Is it on fire?" I did repent and give her lotion...but I so get that feeling of just wanting to shut off.
HOLY COW---I am using our shared laptop...I am NOT Napp Nazworth, I am his dorky wife, Angela who obviously needs more coffee b/4 getting on the computer.
HA!!!
i love that you chucked greenie... but, more than that i loved that you retrieved him. time does fly!!!
love,
dani
what a great post! i laughed because i'm forever putting the same toys away in our crazy tub. makes me nuts. thanks for the reminder to really enjoy this time in my life. i needed it.
I can't tell you how I needed this today.... this is our third week of summer which means I'm home all day with all 3 of the kids for the first time really and I've been pretty grumpy about the whole thing.... I needed a perspective change. Thank you.
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