Grace

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

There I was, a stay-at-home mom with my toddler and preschooler. Hmmm where to start? Laundry, housework, cooking, that sink full of dishes? 8:00 a.m. and I was already worn out. My older son was first to finish breakfast, tearing out of the kitchen and diving into a day of fun with great gusto. The younger-almost old enough to graduate from his high chair, lingered awhile longer over a bowl of oatmeal just as the phone rang from the other room. Ah, yes...the perfect chaotic touch to an already chaotic morning. I quickly ended the call and returned to the kitchen. I had been gone for less than a minute.

Oatmeal was everywhere! After painting his face and hair, my little guy had progressed to covering the high chair, pajamas, walls, ceiling- I did not think there was that much in the bowl! He'd had quite a time splattering the entire room with the sticky stuff. And to think that, only moments ago, I had been concerned about a few dirty dishes calling my name! Now my kitchen looked like an oatmeal factory had exploded.

But he just looked at me, smiled his cherub smile, and began to sing at the top of his lungs. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so"

Grace. God's indescribable, powerful, unmerited, saving grace. A little boy's simple song was just the reminder I needed. It was the song of one confident in the fact that, even though he had made a mess of things, he was loved.

What a nice, gentle reminder that in the middle of life's messes-large and small-Jesus loves me, too. This I know. For the Bible tells me so. I reached for a sponge and went to work, somehow renewed.

Lord, thank you that when my mind becomes so full from life, You are always there, reminding me that Jesus loves me! Amen

Suzie Thomas