a different category...

most of the posts here are about the good, the great and the even better in our world. and that is the way i intend it to be. it's a blog after all. an online scrapbook. and to be frank most of our days are great. most of them. today however falls into a different category. today was of the not-so-great sort.

georgia's been up since 6 sharp. it started early. she refused breakfast and a nap. she's bitten me, harold and her croc. thrown her food and thrown a fit. opened every drawer, every cabinet and every closet finding nothing to her liking. played inside, outside and even beside a friend. climbed on chairs, over the crib and up my nerves. and all this was before lunch.

this has been the textbook day of an overwhelmed parent. and as 6 o'clock rolled around tonight i watched the clock till it was time for harold to take georgia to bed. i wanted a break. and when i sat alone on the couch catching my breath for the first time, i was faced with the fact that while i long for a moment alone after days like today, i have a Savior who never 'takes a break' from shepherding His flock no matter how stubborn or not-so-great they might be. with patience and love and grace beyond measure, He so gently cares for his own.

i want to be that kind of parent. i am far from it. but not so far with His strength. i didn't stop today to ask for more patience. or gentleness. or love. or wisdom to parent georgia. i have before, but today i failed her. so tonight as i close this day, i am going to ask for another day like today. for another not-so-great day so that i can feel the strength of Christ in the way i raise my daughter.

the forecast for tomorrow is partly cloudy. but i'm calling it partly sunny. and no matter what, it will be a great day. just wait and see :)

"Those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31