The Laundry Moms Welcome
Stephanie Pletka
today as our featured guest writer for our
“31 Days of Grace” series!
Check Out Her Amazing Story of God’s Grace While Raising Kids…
When Your Kids Teach You Grace
by Stephanie Pletka
We were on a 12 hour road trip to somewhere, in the car, just me and the kids. We woke up at 4am when everything was still silent, life had been undisturbed.
With our crew, the sound of crickets turned into: That’s my pillow, it’s cold in here, can we watch a movie? The gang was up for the day. Good Morning world! My husband had been out of town for 2 weeks and the wear and tear of passels of kids asking questions at the same time, vying for my attention – while those who lost the battle were sulking loudly in the background, began to take its toll.
In an instant, I blasted them with the Wrath of Mom, and like the Great and Powerful OZ, showed my power and strength like the rage of a dragon, with fire blasting past all their little heads; and in an instant, I felt relief! . . . and regret…
Surely there was a way to meet in the middle to guide their hearts into a new direction without me burning their ears off with my fury and frustration. I had to gather my thoughts and walk away to compose myself. As we walked through the farmer’s market on our way across country, my 2nd son came running in, with glee on his face, excited to see me. Yes, excited to see me, and why? Mean mom just blasted them with fury. He handed over a bag of dark chocolate that he purchased with his chore money and said: You’re just the best mom ever and I really appreciate all the things you do for us, to make life happy and good. Pause, wait a minute. Big gulp. Cue the puddle on the floor.
A tear may have actually by-passed my tear duct to shoot straight out of my eyeball. He had worked hard all week, doing laundry, vacuuming the floor, taking out the trash, and with his spoils, he used it to buy ME my favorite candy.
I didn’t deserve it, or at least I didn’t think I did, but my son had seen the goodness in my efforts and wanted to bless me with Mercy (chocolates).
It made me pause to think, when life seems overwhelming with piles of this and that, the never ending list of to-do’s, the constant pecking of questions, relentless “I’m hungry’s” and Can I do this, Can I have that . . .to take a deep breath, pull yourself together and see the big picture that you are needed. Of all the people in the world, you are the one they need and want the most. So how lucky are we?! Didn’t see that coming, did you? lol
It’s all in perspective, really. We just need a game plan, to gather our thoughts, walk away, before the pot boils over and there’s no turning back. Step aside, rethink the issue, but no matter what happens, God’s grace and Mercy, much like my son gracing with me a bag of chocolates with his hard-earned money, is God’s gift to us. We don’t always deserve the Favor, the Mercy. Our actions, our behavior don’t always merit favor, but God gives us Grace, do-overs, a generous gift, free and unexpected. How great is that?! So when the road trip of life calls on you at 4am with situations hurled at you in high speed, just step back, grab a piece of chocolate and remember, much like the fresh dew on the ground is a sign of new beginnings, HIS Mercy’s are new ever morning.
Lamentations 2:22-23
Because of God’s great love, we are not consumed. His mercy’s are new every morning.
Great is Your Faithfulness.
Stephanie Pletka is the creator of the humorous mom-blog Spit-up & Heels . It’s her goal to encourage and empower moms to live their authentic self, while dealing with life’s struggles and juggles of being all things to all people. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband John and their four children.
