Wild Men

Is it just me, or is raising boys a lot like taming wild beasts?!  Today I had one of those days when turning my back was an invitation to disaster.  Here is a picture: scrapes and bruises on knees, marker from head to toe, dents in my coffee table(!), and a house that looks like a fraternity house on a Friday night (replace beer cans with toys and you get an idea of what I'm talking about).  No, not every day feels this wild, but today was one that left me wondering if I should laugh or cry.  Then, I took my boys upstairs for bed tonight.  They are both snugglers, so we all climbed into Carter's bed and read stories. We read a couple of picture books.  And then Carter said, "Mama, you forgot the God-story."  So I pulled out his Bible and we read a story from it.  It was titled, "God saves the Day."  As I read the old, familiar story about God parting the Red Sea, and the Israelites walking through on dry land, the question God so often asks in the Old Testament came into my mind, "Is the Lord's arm too short?"  I believe that our God was big enough to part the sea that day, but do I believe that his arm is long enough to sustain me with joy in my present situation all throughout the day?  Is he big enough to provide me with the energy, enthusiasm, and discipline that I need to be completely present with my kids each day?  Why do I so often settle for a mediocre, get-through-the-day kind of attitude, when God has promised  that He is more than sufficient for all that I need?  "God Saves the Day."  I like that.  I pray that He would make all of my efforts, imperfect and unworthy as they are, a blessing to my family.