Lessons Learned in Mom's Taxi!
(Written during "child-rearing" daze!!)
A Hurting
Word...
"Run, Peggie, Run!" may someday be a bestseller when I write it, in retirement years, in a rocking chair with computer attached (visualize that one!). Actually, I am too busy now to even consider it....webmaster of Peggie's Place, editor of Internet for Christians newsletter, administrator of CrossSearch (both Gospelcom Ministries)...and hold on, I'm not done...wife and mom...laundry woman, chef, domestic engineer, whatever-else-you-name-it, AND taxi driver! In between jobs, I try to breathe. But this week was a real humdinger in the "taxi" department, and I just KNEW there had to be a devotional in it somewhere.
So, jump on the "running board" of the taxi (I've just dated myself...i was a little girl then, honest!!) and come along for the ride in Mom's Taxi. You just MIGHT learn something--I did!
Go to the high school to pick up son number one. On the way (in another direction!), pick up flu-bug-son number two's homework. Grab it from the school office, jump back in my car, find a "post-it" note, "Jason's locker would not open." Call Jason who can't REMEMBER his locker combination. Secretary calmly assures me we can both return later....sure! Back in the car. Fly to the high school, pick up the number one son, who matter-of-factly states, "I need to go to the library and the university." Spend 15 minutes in the library parking lot, 45 in a university parking lot, follow it with a fast food stop and a final drop-off of son number one at the church. Zoom home to pick up the sick son, well enough to get in the car with a bundle of wrapped coins, "Mom, can we stop at the bank?" Are you still with me! (Sounds like a Laurel and Hardy movie, I know!)
So--BACK to the school, on to the bank, and a zoom back into the driveway, a run into the house (a few breaths in between) and I hear a husband's voice (who has no idea where I've been!), "Well, it's about time!" There was no bridge or river so I could not jump, and of course, knew it was not an option anyway...grin! We jumped, not over the bridge, but into the car together, headed for a gulp-down dinner and on to church where the taxi driver had to turn into the piano player. Now you can well imagine my frame of mind to be playing any kind of music, let alone worship music....grin....but I did it, and even managed a smile or two! I'm glad God loves "strained-out, stressed-out" taxi-driving, piano-playing MOMS!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
What MOM Learned: Patience is a Virtue!
Spiritual virtues are not tested in a church pew but sometimes in a taxi! I did not make too high a grade on this one (well, would YOU?...grin!). I apparently do not possess the gift of patience YET, and of course, when a saint does not mature as she (or he!) should, God sends the same test over and over again--which He does! Will I ever be the model patient Mom? I doubt it, but "Lord, I could SURE use a little help...and a little lightening up, for I know, and You remind me, 'This too shall pass!'"
Now "lack of patience" may not be YOUR downfall at the moment (there's always a tomorrow!), but seriously, you know your weakness. You are well aware that you're not perfect either. So what do we do? Shall we sit in a corner and whine about our unspiritual, fallen natures which cause us to "lose it?" OR shall we get up, wipe away the tears, smile, and say, "Lord, I really do love You...won't You please help me today?" That's all He wants to hear right now (the growing comes later!), so just take a deep breath, and keep taxi-ing on!
What the KIDS Learned: Remember to Say "Please" and "Thank You!"
Politeness virtues are not tested in a Sunday school class but sometimes in a taxi! The kids didn't make a very good grade on this one either. Do kids sometimes forget to be thoughtful and appreciative of what you or I do? Of course! Remember when YOU were a kid? Now we do try to teach our children courtesy and consideration, but sometimes they need to be reminded....and a reminder was in order that day, followed by a repentant, "Thank you, Mom!"
Hmmm...God needs to remind us once in a while, doesn't He...and now it's getting awfully quiet in this devotional room. We're ALL guilty! Can you hear the Lord say, "My child, did you really *ask* Me for that special request or were you a little *demanding,* just EXPECTING Me to answer? I'd like to be treated with courtesy too, you know!" Or maybe He will remind us, "You really DID forget to genuinely say "thank you"--you were too busy enjoying the answer to remember!" How much we sometimes need the Lord's scolding--and unlike Mom's, it's ALWAYS gentle! "Lord, You drive us through life in your Divine taxi, and sometimes we act like such ungrateful kids. Help us learn to be polite with YOU too!"
What GOD Learned: Moms need all the grace Heaven can give!
Godly virtues come from God above and certainly He has nothing to learn. He just observed something He already knew! For you see, He made me, with all my quirks and quacks, my highs and lows--and He understands. Would He like me--and you--to change? Of course, and He nudges us enough to be aware of our need for a little "growing up"--.AFTER the crisis! But what about *during* the crisis--when our nerves are shattered, our emotions frayed and we reach the end of the rope? He's there....watching, listening and loving us still!
What a God we serve! He offers grace unlimited to us all--the mom taxi drivers, the working parents, the pastors, singles, seniors, the unsaintly saints--whoever we are, He understands our limitations, and He does not wait for a mistake to beat us over the head with His judicial gavel. No, He "giveth more grace" - "He giveth and giveth and giveth again." Oh the wonder and the love of this awesome Heavenly Father who never gives up on HIS kids, who loves to send a ministering angel on a mission of mercy--to deliver HIs grace and His love, special delivery, to a worn-out, wearied-out child on the journey of life!
Lessons aren't always learned in a classroom - sometimes it's a taxi! The taxi is safely parked in the garage tonight, and I am calm once again. The family members are all friends once again, and best of all, GOD is watching over and loving us all--and I TOLD you I'd get a devotional out of it all...grin! God is good...and tomorrow is ANOTHER day in which to serve and love Him--in our homes, offices, churches, schools, workshops--and yes, our taxis! Have a great week, and if you see a taxi coming, doublecheck the driver--if it's Peggie from Peggie's Place, I'd advise you to RUN!
...and that's just a thought or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Words
"...My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness...2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)."
"Lord, I'm not always the most patient (or kind, or gentle, or thoughtful) person in the world, and sometimes I lose it. Please make me better, but help me right now to only know that You love me-- and Your grace is on the way! In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Additional (previously named) original source for some midis: Gilberto Barreto.
Visit this great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.
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A Hurting
Word...