Agents of Sanctification

God has been good to me today. Six months ago and I would have considered a day like today a train wreck. But I am thankful for a God that has not left us to hash out life on our own and that instead we have the Holy Spirit guiding, directing, leading, showing us our need for Christ, and revealing where to give thanks. Raising children has been one of the most sanctifying endeavors I have ever experienced (in addition to marriage, of course). The Spirit has been revealing to me more and more of my need for Christ and our Father's infinite, relentless, steadfast love.

My two year old is going through a serious case of the two's. In reality, however, he is evil and (right now) an unredeemed sinner who loves to worship himself and just so happens to be two years old. Not many parents are up for calling their kiddos evil and sinners, but sometimes the truth hurts. Today, Speirs spent the better part of the morning in time out for hitting, pushing the limits, direct disobedience and disrespect. I was exhausted by 9....am, when I received an encouraging email from a fellow mom 1.21er pushing me to the Word of God and prayer-this was refreshing to my weary mind-and to know that someone was interceding on my behalf was encouragement! Much of the same non sense continued on to nap time, but, when I opened my eyes after praying out loud that God would give Speirs restful sleep (among other things), his eyes were peacefully closed. Side note: when I closed my eyes to begin praying he was talking/crying/screaming- The evening ended with Speirs pooping in the bath tub, lapping water from the toilet with his hand to his mouth, and spitting milk onto his PJs- Icing on the cake to an already trying day.

Im not trying to out my son by writing this blog post, I only mean to show that I am my son. I am the wayward child. I love to worship myself. I drink from the toilet instead of the cup of life. I constantly spurn my Father. When he gives me good things, I complain for something better--because after all, I do know best. Because I sin against a holy God, I deserve death and hell. But Christ stood in my place, because he loves me, and there was no other way to reconcile us to God(--we sure didn't have our mess together then and still don't). I hope the Spirit constantly leads me to a place where I see the undeserved favor bestowed upon me- that I can be gracious to my son, patient, loving and kind, showing him compassion and still desiring to give him good things. Most of all though, that I would pray unceasingly for my boys salvation and that they would love Jesus-and be changed!

So Im praising God for revealing to me that today was not a train wreck like it would have been not long ago and instead an exercise in sanctification and a cause for celebration--by way of sleep!