Gifts

Yesterday, I happened to catch Elianna with something in her hand that she was chewing on. I quickly said, "No, no! Don't eat it! Can Mama have it?" I held out my hand and she got up and came over with a big smile on her face and put it very willingly in my hand. At that moment, I screamed and made her cry. Why did I scream, you ask? Well, it just so happened that Elianna had put a .....











wait for it ......















this is good ..................

















put your food down if you are eating ......................



















ready? ............................






are you sure you're really ready? ......................





I warn you, you aren't going to like this! .....................................









It's pretty gross ................................









OK, here goes.......................













She put a DEAD ROACH in my hand!!!!!!!!









Oh. My. Goodness.



But she was so willing to give me that roach. I chuckled about it all day. Well, I chuckled when I wasn't gagging about it. I mean, a dead roach! And she had been crunching away on it! YUCK!!!
Later, I got to thinking about it and thought about how it sort of related to life and the gifts God has given me. I know, how can I compare a dead roach to a gift from God? But bear with me for few minutes and I think I'll get there...

There are times in my life that I'm given a gift, something that I asked for and really wanted, but then later I scream about it. Well, maybe not scream, but I certainly complain. Everyday, as I go about doing all the housework that piles up around here, (or trying to avoid doing all the housework that piles up around here!) I complain. The dishes are neverending, the laundry is overflowing the baskets, the toys are all over the living room, the dining room floor is covered in last night's supper (and maybe the night before that), ... the list goes on and on. But why do I have all those chores? Because I have a family. I have these precious little girls that I asked God for. These girls are such amazing gifts from God and I daily thank Him for them. But then I turn around and complain about all that it takes to care for them. How must that sound to God? He has willingly and with a smile placed these sweet babies into my hands and I constantly "scream" about all I have to do for them. I want to change that. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to the place that I'll look forward to doing the laundry and dishes, but I can at least try to do those things with a grateful heart. Everytime I put a plastic cup in the dishwasher, fold a tiny shirt, pick 1,000 grains of dried up rice off the floor, or wince from stepping on a Barbie shoe, I can thank God for the amazing little beings that have made that possible. I wouldn't trade them for a clean house for anything else in the world. Thank you, Lord, for my children! Help me to show that thankfulness in all that I do. In ALL that I do! Amen.

And now, I'm off to load the dishwasher. Thank you, Lord, for the little girls who ate off of those dishes tonight and for the food you provided for us that was on those dishes!