New Mercies!...and Mercy Donuts!

Yesterday was just one of those days...disobedience seemed to be lurking around every corner. But it didn't need to merely lurk for long...my boys were more than willing to play!

It seemed constant and as if there was no end in sight. No matter how many times I corrected, reminded, redirected or punished their behavior, the disobedience just kept on persisting.

By lunch time, I had had it. I was tired, discouraged and over-all weary. I wasn't using speech seasoned with grace, instead I was letting my boys know I was highly disappointed...in them and in my parenting.

After enduring their consequences, (which included no fruit with their lunch) it was nap time. I was thankful for the quiet, but still felt discouraged (again, in not only their behavior, but mine too).

I had a good talk with the Lord and felt hopeful and determined not to grow weary.

After naps, the boys' consequences continued on during the the remainder of the day. No sweets, no DVD's, no trip to the library...and when they would start to whine about their depravity, Ryan would remind them of Lamentations 3:22-23

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

"Trusten and Brahm, the Lords love never ceases, and our love doesn't cease either. There are times, though, we must reap what we sow. But the hope and promise is that there are new mercies every morning!"

So they were sad, but hopeful...a beautiful combination!

This morning they woke up especially early (6:40 am!) and crawled in bed with me, I hugged them tight and whispered "Guess what?"

They knew the first answer, it's how we start every morning. So they both chimed "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it".

I said, "That's right! But guess what else? Mercies are new today!"

And I felt the Truth of that promise! I could almost literally see and touch and feel the new mercies. It was thick in our house...what an amazing feeling!

We walked to the kitchen, and there on the counter was a bag of donut holes for each boy (and a donut for me!). A "new mercies" present from daddy.

And you know what? It's been a great day! Thank you Lord for your mercies to not only my boys, but to me as well!