I was over it seven grumblings and three grievances ago, all his complaints over everything from the muffins I made to the dog we have.
I ascend the stairs with a sinking heart, thoughts running in overdrive about whether or not this precious child of mine will ever take a chance on seeing the glass half full. I step into my bedroom, and I don’t realize he’s followed me ’til I hear him say,
“Ya know, mom, sorry I was complaining so much downstairs. I’m just in a bad mood because of something that happened at school.”
I close my eyes and smile. Like most of us, he does not hand out apologies with ease, so the fact he owned his behavior and apologized for it has me singing on the inside. I see one child-raising lesson sinking in, a small step forward. Maybe I’m not just talking to myself after all.
Sometimes I imagine the entirety of our lives enveloped in a billowy tent, one of those kinds used for outdoor wedding receptions. All the curtains hang down and we can’t peek inside. When moments like these come – glimpses where our kids show behavior improvement or that long-awaited job offer arrives or that relationship mends – it’s like the Lord pulls back the curtain and lets us see a bit into our future. He reassures us that what we’re sweating over today is indeed a building block for a beautiful tomorrow.
What we shouldn’t do is give in to frustration that the Lord doesn’t open our curtain more often or opens another person’s curtain further. You and I can still rest knowing our kingdom work is being accomplished just as much as it is for her. His sovereignty decides when and how far into our room we may see.
One thing is certain: The Lord always moves according to our best interests.
I motion my boy over and give him a fierce hug, tell him all is forgiven. We talk about the school day and I feel my faith strengthening one building block at a time…
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 12:13
How has the curtain been pulled back on your own life lately? What glimpses have you seen of your future that reassure you about what you’re doing today?
Aww, these are the sweet moments of motherhood that makes me so look forward to one day having my own family. Thank you for sharing this sweet moment.
Thank you for visiting me today, Angie!
“The Lord always moves according to our best interests.” I love that and needed that phrase today. And I’m so glad He does – I’d have it no other way.
Oh my goodness, your child complains about the dog too! I thought I was going crazy! My teenager seems to complain about EVERYTHING so much of the time it is hard to know what to do with all of our imperfection. The rare moment when she acknowledges that she is feeling upset or out of sorts is such a blessing but rare. It helps to know you are going through the same thing. And the dog, I love the fact that both of our kids mentioned it.
Back to school today, the second to last one before they have all graduated from high school. I am willing to listen to lots of complaints about the dog to be here for these moments. Blessings!